SWS: 11.5 M families consider themselves poor

MANILA, Philippines - About 11.5 million Filipino families still consider themselves poor, a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The nationwide poll, fielded from March 27 to 30, found 53 percent of respondents claiming they were poor or “mahirap,” down by two points from December’s 55 percent.

The same survey revealed that 39 percent, or around 8.5 million Filipino households, said they were poor in terms of food.

The new rate was down by two points from 41 percent last December.

SWS said self-rated poverty declined in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao in the past three months.

It dropped by nine points in Metro Manila to 37 percent, by four points to 64 percent in the Visayas and by three points to 56 percent in Mindanao.

However, it rose by a point to 51 percent in balance Luzon.

SWS noted that the recent self-rated poverty rate in Metro Manila was the lowest since the 35 percent in August 2012.

Self-rated food poverty also fell in Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao, and increased in balance Luzon, the SWS said.

It was down by seven points in Metro Manila and Mindanao, to 25 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

It likewise dropped by six points in the Visayas to 46 percent.

Self-rated food poverty, however, increased by three points to 39 in balance Luzon.

The SWS first quarter of 2014 poll was based on face-to-face interviews of 1,200 Filipinos adults.

Results of the survey were published in the newspaper BusinessWorld yesterday.

The survey has error margins of plus or minus three percentage points for national and plus or minus six points for area percentages.