About 2.9 million Filipino families still experienced involuntary hunger in October — the third quarter of 2022, according to the recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
This is equivalent to 11.3 percent of families who said they experienced hunger or not having anything to eat at least once in the past three months.
The October figure is similar to 11.6 percent or 2.9 million families in June 2022, but slightly below the 12.2 percent or 3.1 million families in April 2022.
“The 0.3-point decline in Overall Hunger between June 2022 and October 2022 is due to a decline in Balance Luzon, combined with increases in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao,” SWS said.
The experience of hunger is highest in Metro Manila with 16.3 percent of families, followed by Mindanao at 15.3 percent.
In Visayas, the hunger rate rose to 7.0 percent from 5.7 percent in June 2022.
While in Balance Luzon, it fell to 9.6 percent from 11.9 percent in the same month.
Out of the 11.3 percent October hunger rate, 9.1 percent or 2.3 million families admitted they experienced moderate hunger.
SWS defined moderate hunger as “those who experienced hunger “Only Once” or “A Few Times” in the last three months.”
As per severe hunger, 2.2 percent or 573,000 families said they experienced hunger “Often” or “Always” in the last three months.
The survey was conducted from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 through face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults aged 18 years old and above.
At least 300 individuals participated in Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao, and 600 individuals in Balance Luzon.
The October SWS survey was the first poll conducted under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.
