Inflation, typhoons among factors behind rising hunger —DSWD

The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Monday cited inflation and a series of typhoons as key contributors to the rising number of Filipino families experiencing hunger.

DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao made the statement in response to a recent Stratbase-Social Weather Stations survey, which revealed that the number of poor Filipino families suffering from hunger surged from 26.4% in February to 35.6% in March 2025.

Data showed that total hunger—which includes both moderate and severe hunger—has been steadily increasing since January 2025, when it was recorded at 22.3% among self-identified poor households.

Hunger also rose among non-poor families, increasing from 16.2% in February to 18.3% in March, continuing its upward trend from 10% in January.

Dumlao emphasized that hunger and poverty in the country were driven by multiple factors, prompting the DSWD to adopt a comprehensive strategy to address them.

“Maraming factors kasi na nakakaapekto sa mga mahihirap nating pamilya. Last year nakita po natin, six typhoons occurring in three weeks at isa po ‘yan sa mga kadahilanan kung bakit po bumababa ‘yung level of well-being noong mga kababayan natin na mahihirap,” Dumlao said during a Palace briefing.

(Many factors affect our poor families. Last year, we saw six typhoons hit the country in just three weeks. That’s one of the reasons the well-being of our impoverished countrymen continues to decline.)

She added that inflation is another significant factor negatively impacting the well-being of low-income families.

To address these challenges, Dumlao said the government was enhancing its intervention programs, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

She also highlighted the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP), which provides financial support to minimum-wage earners and low-income individuals who are especially vulnerable to inflation.

Walang Gutom Kitchen

Another initiative, Walang Gutom Kitchen, seeks to combat involuntary hunger and reduce food waste by repurposing surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals for those in need.

The first kitchen was established in a former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Pasay City.

Dumlao said there were plans to expand the program to areas in the Visayas, Mindanao, and northern Metro Manila to reach more food-insecure communities.

“As to timeline, sabi nga po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., dapat maibaba natin ang poverty incidence to a single-digit percentage before the end of his term. DSWD is committed in contributing to that attainment of that goal at pinagsisikapan po namin para mas mapabilis pa iyong pagbaba nitong poverty incidence sa ating bansa,” Dumlao concluded.

(As President Marcos has said, the goal is to reduce poverty incidence to single-digit levels by the end of his term. The DSWD is committed to helping achieve this target and is working tirelessly to accelerate progress in reducing poverty in the country.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News