00:00The latest read on the poverty indices shows a significant drop in the number of people who rate themselves still under the poverty line, consider themselves food poor, and believe they endure hunger a lot.
00:12Arod Lagusan has more on the various poll results in this report.
00:18For months, Alberto Capascio was jobless, one of millions of Filipinos struggling to stay afloat.
00:25After nearly eight months of being unemployed, he finally found a job as an electrician in December last year.
00:41For Alberto, relief did not come from employment alone.
00:45His daily meals, breakfast, and lunch are now provided for free through the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Walanggutong Kitchen in Pasay City.
00:55Alberto's story mirrors a broader shift seen in recent survey data.
01:20According to the tugon ng MASA survey, self-rated poverty fell sharply in the fourth quarter of 2025.
01:27That drop translates to around 4.5 million Filipino families who now say they have been released from the shackles of poverty.
01:34Self-rated food poverty also declined during the same period.
01:38Nearly 5 million families say they can now better meet their daily food needs.
01:42Analyst says several factors may have contributed to the improvement.
01:46One factor, siguro yung continued efforts ng administration to distribute ayuda, that's one factor, or assistance ating mga kababayan.
02:04The other factor, I believe, is that the inflation rate has stabilized.
02:10So, yung buhay, it's not as hard as it was before because nag-stabilize na yung mga ating economic indicators.
02:20But the data also points to a growing concern. Self-rated hunger rose over the same period.
02:25Most of those affected report having experienced hunger.
02:29Regional disparities also persist.
02:31With Mindanao recording the highest levels of poverty and hunger,
02:34experts says a stronger coordination between the national government and local governments remain critical.
02:40The DSWD has announced plans to expand the Walanggutong food stamp program to 750,000 families,
02:46providing 3,000 pesos in monthly food credits for basic needs such as rice, vegetables, and meat,
02:52a move aimed at turning statistical gains into sustained everyday relief for Filipino families.
02:57Rod LaGuzet from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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