The increase of self-rated “poor” Filipinos during a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey was done during the surge of typhoons, which impacted the families' means to cope with rising prices of good and services.

This was stated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan during a Palace briefing on Thursday, Nov. 1.

“We note that the SWS September survey was conducted after a series of typhoons hit the country, which also affected food prices and directly impacted families who lacked the means to cope with the increase in prices,” he said.

The NEDA chief added that inflation also caused a hit in Filipino families’ purchasing power.

“Poverty measures based on respondents’ perceptions are sensitive to inflation, particularly for essential commodities. Food inflation in September was higher than in June this year due to the supply disruptions,” Balisacan said.

SWS earlier reported that 48 percent of Filipinos rated themselves as poor, reaching approximately 13.2 million Filipinos plunging into poverty.