Agri chief hails drop in food poverty survey

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has acknowledged a significant decrease in food poverty across the country in the fourth quarter of 2025. The improvement comes as the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) Survey by OCTA Research indicates a shift in how Filipino families perceive their own food security.

Sharp Decline in Food Poverty

The TNM survey revealed that self-rated food poverty among Filipino families dropped to 30 percent in Q4 2025, a substantial decrease from 49 percent in the previous quarter. This 19-percent reduction represents approximately 5 million families no longer identifying as food-poor – marking one of the most rapid improvements recorded in the TNM survey series.

Did You Know? The Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! (BBM Na!) program aims to protect consumers from price spikes while simultaneously boosting productivity for farmers and fisherfolk.

Secretary Tiu Laurel attributed the positive trend to ongoing government efforts focused on maintaining a stable food supply and safeguarding the interests of both producers and consumers. Despite this improvement, the survey also showed an increase in the number of Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger, rising from 11 percent in Q3 to 16 percent in Q4 2025.

However, Secretary Tiu Laurel, citing the OCTA Research report, noted that nearly 80 percent of those experiencing hunger did so only once or a few times, suggesting a pattern of short-term food stress rather than chronic deprivation.

Government Initiatives and Future Plans

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is actively expanding its P20-per-kilogram rice program, known as BBM Na!, with a goal of reaching 15 million households – or 60 million individuals – by the end of the current year. President Marcos has directed the DA to continue this program through the end of his term in June 2028.

Expert Insight: Sustained improvements in food security require a multi-faceted approach. While price controls and direct assistance programs like BBM Na! can provide immediate relief, long-term stability hinges on consistent investment in agricultural infrastructure and production support.

Secretary Tiu Laurel also highlighted an increased budget allocation for the DA, earmarked for investments in farm-to-market roads, cold storage facilities, food hubs, deepwater ports, rice dryers, warehouses, and greenhouses. These improvements are intended to increase production, lower food costs, and improve incomes in rural areas.

Analysts and economists have previously linked the slowdown in rising food prices – as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority – to these government initiatives, particularly those focused on stabilizing the rice supply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the percentage of food poverty in the Philippines in Q3 2025?

The Tugon ng Masa (TNM) Survey by OCTA Research showed that 49 percent of Filipino families self-rated as food-poor in Q3 2025.

How many families no longer consider themselves food-poor as of Q4 2025?

The 19-percent reduction in food poverty translates to approximately 5 million families no longer considering themselves as food-poor.

What is the BBM Na! program?

The Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! (BBM Na!) program is a government initiative designed to protect consumers from sudden price spikes while also supporting increased productivity, reduced post-harvest losses, and improved market access for farmers and fisherfolk.

As the government continues its efforts to bolster food security, will these gains be sustained, and what further steps might be necessary to address the underlying causes of food insecurity in the Philippines?