Self-rated poverty levels surge in Mindanao – survey

MANILA, Philippines – The number of Filipino families that consider themselves poor has risen markedly, the latest survey, conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) last March 10-13, showed.

The increase is particularly significant for Mindanao where the figure for the latest poll is at 64%–more than double the level in the December 2011 poll, which was at 30%.

Of the total respondents to the poll nationwide, 55%–equivalent to an estimated 11.1 million families–claimed they were poor.

The polling firm said this is 10 points higher than results for the December 2011 poll where 45% of respondents–or 9.1 million households–described themselves as poor.

In the story published on the BusinessWorld, the SWS said the new self-rated poverty levels are the highest to date for the Aquino administration.

Self-rated poverty hit its highest level at 74% in July 1985 during the Marcos dictatorship.

The highest recorded rate during the Ramos and Arroyo administrations was at 59%. This self-rated poverty level was hit in April 1994 and September 2002, respectively. 

Read about the survey results on BusinessWorld. – Rappler.com