6 out of 10 Filipino families suffered having little to no food over COVID-19 pandemic

Six out of 10 families have suffered from having little or nothing to eat amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute has shown.

According to Mark Salazar's report on "24 Oras", the DOST-FNRI through its November 3 to December 3, 2020 rapid nutrition assessment survey found that 62.1% of Filipino families experience moderate to severe food insecurity.

The survey showed that 71.8% of the respondents are forced to borrow money just to be able to buy food, while 66.3% asked for food from their relatives, neighbors and friends.

Moreover, 30.2% have resorted to trading and bartering food.

Over 21.1% adults also cut their food intake just to be able to feed their children.

Causes of food insecurity

The DOST-FNRI said among the causes of food insecurity are lack of money (22.1%), limited public transportation (21.6%), lost of livelihood (19.5%), lack of access to adequate food (10.8%), and elderly who does not have anyone to buy food for them (5.1%).

With this, community pantries have been a big help to Filipino families in need amid the health crisis.

"Kasi ako na lang naghahanap-buhay sa amin. Nagtitinda ako ng sampaguita. Kaya dito (community pantry) na lang ako kumukuha ng pang-araw-araw," one of the residents in line a community pantry said.

The community pantry that started in Maginhawa Street has been replicated in many areas, and more low-income families have found sources for their daily sustenance.

Here’s a list of community pantries not just in Metro Manila, but in nearby provinces as well. --Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News