World · Philippines Bureau
Legarda warns hunger crisis persists despite survey improvements
While welcoming a decline in hunger rates, Senator Loren Legarda cautioned that one in five Filipino families still struggling with food insecurity signals the problem remains unresolved. The senator called for sustained efforts to make food affordable and secure livelihoods.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – Senator Loren Legarda has raised concerns about persistent hunger in the Philippines, even as recent data shows improvement in the country's food security situation. The latest Social Weather Stations survey conducted from June 20-29 recorded hunger affecting 20.3% of Filipino families, prompting Legarda to emphasize that this figure cannot be dismissed as a sign the crisis is under control.
While acknowledging the decline reflected in the SWS findings, the senator stressed that one in every five families experiencing hunger remains an unacceptable condition requiring urgent policy action. Legarda underscored the need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of food insecurity in the archipelago.
The senator called for a two-pronged approach to tackle hunger: making nutritious food more affordable for average Filipinos while simultaneously creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. Legarda argued that without simultaneous progress on both fronts, efforts to reduce hunger will remain incomplete and vulnerable to reversal.
Her statement reflects broader concerns among policymakers about food affordability and income stability among vulnerable populations, particularly as the country navigates economic pressures affecting household budgets nationwide.