Involuntary hunger rate climbs to 27.2%, highest since COVID-19 peak

The number of Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger has risen to 27.2%, marking a significant increase from February's rate of 21.2% and setting a new high since September 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conducted by Stratbase-Social Weather Stations (SWS) from March 15 to 20, 2025, the latest survey reveals that hunger rates have been rising for two consecutive months and are now higher than December's rate of 25.9%, with Visayas experiencing the highest increase at 33.7%. The Malacañang Palace said it would review government data on hunger following this SWS report.

Despite government measures such as declaring a food emergency in February, imposing pork price caps on March 10, and implementing various food assistance programs that benefit 300,000 households nationwide, compliance remains low just one week after implementation.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prioritizes food programs amid rising self-rated hunger among Filipinos, including initiatives like the Walang Gutom Kitchen in Pasay City which provides free hot meals to families and the Walang Gutom Kusinero Cook-Off Challenge aimed at improving public nutrition.

The survey also found that of the families experiencing hunger, 21% had moderate hunger while 6.2% suffered from severe hunger, indicating an urgent need for further intervention to address this growing issue.