Over 62% of Filipino households experienced food insecurity during pandemic

A government poll by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) found that over 62% of Filipino households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity during the pandemic.

The survey, conducted from November 3 to December 3, 2020, revealed that nearly 72% of respondents were forced to borrow money for food and 66.3% asked relatives or neighbors for help.

Additionally, 30.2% traded possessions for food, while over 21% of adults reduced their own food intake to feed children.

Causes of food insecurity included lack of money (22.1%), limited public transportation (21.6%), loss of livelihood (19.5%), and elderly without family support (5.1%).