The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pointed to inflation and a series of devastating typhoons as key factors contributing to the rising hunger levels among Filipino families.
During a press briefing on Monday, DSWD Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao addressed the findings of a recent Stratbase-Social Weather Stations survey, which revealed that the proportion of Filipino families facing hunger had increased sharply from 26.4% in February to 35.6% in March 2025.
Data also indicated a consistent rise in total hunger, which includes both moderate and severe hunger, since January 2025, when it was reported at 22.3% among self-identified poor households.
Even non-poor families have been affected, with hunger levels growing from 16.2% in February to 18.3% in March, reflecting an ongoing upward trend from 10% in January.
Dumlao emphasized that the surge in hunger and poverty levels stems from a combination of factors, prompting the DSWD to implement a comprehensive strategy to tackle these issues.
“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 the 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.)
Inflation has also been a significant contributor to the worsening conditions, with Dumlao highlighting the strain it places on low-income families.
In response to these mounting challenges, the DSWD has been intensifying its support programs, including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
Additionally, Dumlao underscored the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP), designed to provide financial relief to minimum-wage earners and other vulnerable individuals struggling with inflation’s impact.
One of the more innovative initiatives aimed at addressing hunger is the Walang Gutom Kitchen, which repurposes surplus food from hotels, restaurants, and organizations into hot meals for those in need. The first kitchen was set up in a former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Pasay City.
Dumlao revealed plans to expand the program to other regions, including the Visayas, Mindanao, and northern Metro Manila, to better serve food-insecure communities across the country.
“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.)
