At least 49 percent of Filipino families consider themselves poor, according to the October survey by Social Weather Station (SWS) – the first poll conducted under the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.
This is equivalent to 12.6 million Filipino families in October, a higher figure than the 12.2 million who rated themselves as poor in June, the first quarter of 2022.
“The 1-point rise in the nationwide Self-Rated Poor between June 2022 and October 2022 was due to slight increases in the Visayas, Metro Manila, and Mindanao, combined with a steady percentage in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside Metro Manila),” SWS said.
Compared to the June poll, self-rated poor families rose in Metro Manila from 41 percent to 44 percent; in the Visayas from 64 percent to 68 percent; and in Mindanao from 62 percent to 64 percent.
Only the Balance Luzon had no changes, it stayed at 36 percent.
Meanwhile, Filipino families considered borderline poor went down to 29 percent from 31 percent.
About 21 percent regarded themselves as not poor.
Self-rated food poor families
In terms of the type of food eaten by families on a daily basis, SWS found that 34 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as food-poor.
“The steady Self-Rated Food-Poor percentage from June 2022 to October 2022 was due to increases in the Visayas, Mindanao, and Metro Manila, combined with a decrease in Balance Luzon,“ the agency said.
At least 38 percent regarded themselves as food borderline poor, while 28 percent rated themselves as not food-poor.
The third quarter SWS polls were conducted from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults aged 18 years old and above.
About 300 individuals participated in 300 each in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao, while 600 individuals in Balance Luzon.
