DA: Decline in food poverty linked to rice programA woman and her daughter share a simple rice meal along a busy street in Manila. MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) linked the sharp decline in food poverty in the fourth quarter of 2025 to the expansion of government rice programs and other food supply interventions. The OCTA survey showed a sharp decline in self-rated overall poverty, which dropped by 17 percentage points from 54 percent to 37 percent quarter-on-quarter. Analysts attributed improvements in food poverty to programs that stabilize supply and prices, especially the P20-a-kilo rice initiative, the DA said. Economists said sustaining the gains would require continued support for production and effective price management, but noted that the survey signals progress in reducing food poverty.

Source: Philippine Star January 21, 2026 16:45 UTC