According to the latest survey of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) a million more Filipino families have gone hungry during the second quarter of 2013 compared to the first quarter. From April to June 2013, an estimated 4.9 million Filipino families experienced hunger, higher than the previous 3.9 million.
The results of the June 28-30 survey, first published in Business World, showed 22.7 percent of the respondents, or about 4.9 million families, admitted they have gone hungry during the second quarter of this year.
In terms of location, the incidence of hunger was highest in Luzon with 26%, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) 23.7%, Visayas 21%, and Mindanao 17%. The SWS survey used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and had a sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for area percentages.
The survey question on hunger was: “Nitong nakaraang tatlong buwan,nangyari po ba kahit minsan na ang inyong pamilya ay nakaranas nggutom at wala kayong makain? (OO, HINDI)” [“In the last 3 months, did it happen even once that your family experienced hunger and not have anything to eat? (YES, NO)”]
Those who experienced Hunger were further asked: “Nangyari po ba ‘yan ng MINSAN LAMANG, MGA ILANG BESES, MADALAS, o PALAGI?” [“Did it happen ONLY ONCE, A FEW TIMES, OFTEN, or ALWAYS?”]
Moderate Hunger refers to those who experienced hunger “Only Once” or”A Few Times” in the last three months, while Severe Hunger refers to those who experienced it “Often” or “Always” in the last three months.
Photo Credit: Inquirer.net