Number of poor Filipinos decreases – SWS survey

THE number of Filipinos who considered themselves poor has decreased, the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed on Thursday.

Results of the survey, which were first published in BusinessWorld, showed that 45 percent of the respondents — an estimated 9.1 million households — said that they were “poor.”

The latest figure was lower than the 52 percent, or about 10.4 million families, recorded three months ago.

According to SWS, the results of the latest survey were just two points above the all-time low of 43 percent registered in March 1987 and March 2010.

The poll also revealed that 36 percent, or about 7.2 million, considered themselves poor in terms of food — a five-point drop from the 41 percent, or about 8.2 million, recorded in September.

SWS said that the latest survey results were the lowest registered under the administration of President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

It noted, however, that last year’s 49-percent average was up one point compared to 2010.
The food-poor count average of 38 percent was two points higher than the number recorded two years ago, according to SWS.

Improved figures

The survey agency said that the improved figures were not across the board, as self-rated poverty dropped by 19 points to 38 percent in Mindanao, eased by eight points to 45 percent in Balance of Luzon (Luzon without Metro Manila) and by a point to 52 percent in the Visayas.

It added that self-rated poverty worsened by eight points to 47 percent in Metro Manila.

It improved, however, by 13 points to 49 percent in rural areas and two points to 41 percent in cities and towns.

SWS said that self-rated food poverty also fell by 14 points to 30 percent in Mindanao and by eight points to 37 percent in Balance of Luzon, but it added six points to 31 percent in Metro Manila and four points to 43 percent in the Visayas.

The SWS survey, which was conducted from December 3 to 7, used face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and had margins of error of plus or minus 3 percent for national percentages and plus or minus 6 percent for area percentages.

The polling firm said that the survey was non-commissioned and conducted on its own initiative. –Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Reporter, Manila Times