Post by Forum Moderator / Kaskasero on Jul 22, 2008 13:58:54 GMT 8
3M families going hungry–SWS
By : Rommel C. Lontayao with Angelo S. Samonte | Manila Times
22 July 2008 | 12:10 AM
Almost three million Filipino families have experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found out.
According to the Second Quarter 2008 SWS survey, the hunger rate rose to 16.3 percent, or to about 2.9 million people in June, from 15.7 percent in March.
The latest figure, SWS said, “is four points above the ten-year average hunger rate of 12.1 percent.”
The survey further revealed that hunger dropped in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. It was at a record-high 21.5 percent in September 2007. The rate fell to 16.2 percent in December 2007 and 15.7 percent in March 2008, before going back to 16.3 percent in its latest survey.
SWS noted that “although total hunger rose by a small 0.6 point between March and June, its intensity worsened significantly because the share of severe hunger increased.”
Severe hunger, referring to those who experienced it “often or always” in the last three months, went from 3.2 percent, or about 570,000 families, in March to 4.2 percent, or about 760,000 families, in June.
Moderate hunger, referring to those who experienced it “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months, declined slightly from 12.5 percent in March to 12.1 percent in June.
Metro Manila hardest hit
Total hunger is highest in Metro Manila at 22.0 percent, matching the record-high set by the region in June 2007. The figure rose by six points, from 15.7 percent in March to 22.0 percent in June. Both severe hunger and moderate hunger are now higher in Metro Manila than in other areas.
In the Visayas, total hunger rose by seven points, from 12.3 percent to 19.7 percent, or eight points above the nine-year average of 11.8 percent. Moderate hunger rose by five points while severe hunger rose by two points.
In Mindanao, total hunger barely changed from 18.0 percent last March to 17.7 percent in June. However, hunger in Mindanao has intensified because severe hunger rose from 2.7 percent to 4.3 percent.
On the contrary, total hunger declined in Balance Luzon (areas outside of Metro Manila) by almost four points, from 16.0 percent to 12.3 percent. Moderate hunger declined by four points, from 12.3 percent to 8.3 percent while there is only a slight change in severe hunger figures, from 3.7 percent to 4.0 percent.
The survey on household hunger was conducted from June 27 to 30 using face-to-face interviews of a national sample of 1,200 statistically representative household heads, 300 each from the four areas.
Palace blames global crisis
The rise in the number of Filipinos going hungry is a result of global economic events and not by inadequacy of government’s economic policies, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said.
“It is reflective of among others that world is facing,” Dureza said reacting to a latest SWS survey.
But Dureza said there are also positive developments, particularly in Mindanao.
“The government has been effective in addressing challenges in Mindanao so it’s something we should highlight also in Luzon,” he said.
By : Rommel C. Lontayao with Angelo S. Samonte | Manila Times
22 July 2008 | 12:10 AM
Almost three million Filipino families have experienced involuntary hunger at least once in the past three months, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found out.
According to the Second Quarter 2008 SWS survey, the hunger rate rose to 16.3 percent, or to about 2.9 million people in June, from 15.7 percent in March.
The latest figure, SWS said, “is four points above the ten-year average hunger rate of 12.1 percent.”
The survey further revealed that hunger dropped in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. It was at a record-high 21.5 percent in September 2007. The rate fell to 16.2 percent in December 2007 and 15.7 percent in March 2008, before going back to 16.3 percent in its latest survey.
SWS noted that “although total hunger rose by a small 0.6 point between March and June, its intensity worsened significantly because the share of severe hunger increased.”
Severe hunger, referring to those who experienced it “often or always” in the last three months, went from 3.2 percent, or about 570,000 families, in March to 4.2 percent, or about 760,000 families, in June.
Moderate hunger, referring to those who experienced it “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months, declined slightly from 12.5 percent in March to 12.1 percent in June.
Metro Manila hardest hit
Total hunger is highest in Metro Manila at 22.0 percent, matching the record-high set by the region in June 2007. The figure rose by six points, from 15.7 percent in March to 22.0 percent in June. Both severe hunger and moderate hunger are now higher in Metro Manila than in other areas.
In the Visayas, total hunger rose by seven points, from 12.3 percent to 19.7 percent, or eight points above the nine-year average of 11.8 percent. Moderate hunger rose by five points while severe hunger rose by two points.
In Mindanao, total hunger barely changed from 18.0 percent last March to 17.7 percent in June. However, hunger in Mindanao has intensified because severe hunger rose from 2.7 percent to 4.3 percent.
On the contrary, total hunger declined in Balance Luzon (areas outside of Metro Manila) by almost four points, from 16.0 percent to 12.3 percent. Moderate hunger declined by four points, from 12.3 percent to 8.3 percent while there is only a slight change in severe hunger figures, from 3.7 percent to 4.0 percent.
The survey on household hunger was conducted from June 27 to 30 using face-to-face interviews of a national sample of 1,200 statistically representative household heads, 300 each from the four areas.
Palace blames global crisis
The rise in the number of Filipinos going hungry is a result of global economic events and not by inadequacy of government’s economic policies, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said.
“It is reflective of among others that world is facing,” Dureza said reacting to a latest SWS survey.
But Dureza said there are also positive developments, particularly in Mindanao.
“The government has been effective in addressing challenges in Mindanao so it’s something we should highlight also in Luzon,” he said.