Tuesday, December 23, 2008 Hunger rate in RP hit record-high: survey
THE number of families experiencing hunger at least once in the past three months has reached a record-high of 23.7 percent or 4.3 million households since 1998 following an increase in hunger in Metro Manila and Mindanao.
The November 28-December 1, 2008 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which had 1,200 respondents, showed hunger at 23.7 percent, with moderate hunger at 18.5 percent and total hunger at 5.2 percent.
Moderate hunger refers to those who experienced it "Only Once" or "A Few Times" in the last three months while severe hunger refers to those who experienced it "Often" or "Always" in the last three months.
The hunger incidence in the third quarter was 18.4 percent, with moderate hunger 15.2 percent, and severe hunger 3.2 percent.
The previous record was 21.5 percent in September 2007. It is also 11 points more than the 10-year average 12.6 percent.
SWS noted that hunger has been at double digits since June 2004. The hunger average of 2008 is 18.5 percent, higher than the 2007 average of 17.9 percent.
Moderate hunger in the Philippines rose from 15.2 percent (2.7 million families) in September to a new record-high 18.5 percent (estimated 3.3 million families) in December. It is nine points above the 10-year average for moderate hunger of 9.2 percent.
Severe hunger also went up from 3.2 percent (around 580,000 families) in September to 5.2 percent (about 940,000 families) in December. The new rate is two points more than the 10-year average of 3.3 percent.
The increased hunger incidence in the country was brought about by the higher number of people going hungry in Mindanao, which jumped to a record-high 33.7 percent (around 1.4 million families) from 18.3 percent in September.
Hunger was also at a record-high of 23.3 percent (about 570,000 families) in Metro Manila, 20.7 percent (around 750,000 families) in the Visayas, and 20 percent (1.6 million families) in Luzon.
Hunger rose by 15 points in Mindanao and nine points in the Visayas, barely changed in Metro Manila, and stayed in Luzon.
Moderate hunger rose by almost 12 points in Mindanao, seven points in the Visayas, and three points in Metro Manila. However, it declined by two points in Luzon.
Severe hunger declined by three points in Metro Manila, but it rose by almost four points in Mindanao, almost three points in Luzon, and two points in the Visayas.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said the Arroyo administration has strong anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs in place.
She admitted though that, "the past months have been difficult for us and the President (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) has made it her personal mission to help the poorest among us survive this global financial meltdown.
Fajardo said the social welfare department will get an additional P5 billion to support its pro-poor programs, particularly the "4Ps" or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, which gives subsidies to poor families and is expected to help 321,000 households.
More than 200,000 families, she added, have benefited from the program since January 2008. (JMR/Sunnex)
