“Severe hunger fell dramatically in Mindanao, from 4.7% to 0.7%, tying the record-low first set in October 1999. In the Metro Manila area, it fell from 5.0% to 4.3%; in the areas outside Metro Manila in Luzon, l from 4.0% to 2.7 and in Visayas, from 2.7% to 1.7.
“Hunger” is defined as “involuntary if undergone without the option of having something to eat,” according to the report on the SWS survey of June 27 to 30.
Overall, the national percentage of families experiencing involuntary hunger in the past three months dropped significantly to 14.7% from 19%.
Hunger reached a record high of 22% in Metro Manila while in Mindanao, it dropped by five points from 22.7o 17.7%.
“Moderate hunger” refers to those who experienced hunger “only once” or “a few times” in the last three months.
In the past three months, the number of those who experienced “moderate hunger” in Mindanao dropped from 18% to 17% while it rose in Metro Manila from 15.7% to 17.7%.
“Severe hunger” refers to those who experienced hunger “often” or “always” in the last three months.
The number of those who did, fell from 4.7% to 0.7%.. In Metro Manila, it fell from 5.0% to 4.3%; in the Visayas from 2.7% to 1.%; and in Luzon, outside Metro Manila, from 4.0% to 2.7%.
The release of the survey results coincided with the seventh annual State of the Nation Address of President Arroyo.
She cited the survey in her recent out-of-Metro Manila tips. “In Mindanao, our food basket, I said we would prioritize agribusiness investments. And I am happy to see that the latest survey in June shows the hunger rate has sharply gone down nationwide. We have done that,” she claimed.