THE number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor has hit a “fresh record low” in the last quarter, according to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
The survey, conducted from September 24 to 27, showed that 42 percent or an estimated 9.4 million families rated themselves as “mahirap” or “poor.”
The September 2016 self-rated poverty results broke the previous record of 43 percent from both March 2010 and March 1987.
Self-rated poverty dropped from June in Balance Luzon (34 percent in September from 41 percent) and Mindanao (49 percent in September from 54 percent).
However, it rose in Metro Manila, with 36 percent in September from 32 percent in June; and in Visayas, getting 56 percent in September from 52 percent in June.
The same survey also showed that 30 percent or about 6.7 million families classified themselves as poor based on the food they eat.
The SWS said the self-rated poverty and food poverty have been “either steady or declining”, respectively.
Speaking to reporters, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar welcomed the results of the SWS poll and said that the Duterte administration would do its best to address the needs of the Filipino people, especially those in the marginalized sector.
“Change has indeed come and is being felt by our people. We welcome the September 2016 Social Weather Stations survey,” Andanar said.
“For the past 100 days since his assumption, President [Rodrigo] Duterte has been finding ways to make economic growth work for the poor with focus on the country’s 10 poorest provinces. The Duterte administrations reaffirms the state policy to preserve prime agriculture lands to ensure food security,” he added.
The survey interviewed 1,200 respondents using an error margin of ±3 percent for national percentages and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. (Sunnex)