MANILA - More Filipino families considered themselves poor in the second quarter of 2018, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released Friday.

The latest survey showed that 48 percent of the respondents viewed themselves as poor, which translates to around 11.1 million families.

The figure is 6 points higher than a March 2018 survey, wherein 42 percent or an estimated 9.8 million families rated themselves as poor.

The poll was conducted from June 27 to 30, 2018 among 1,200 adult heads of households nationwide.

SWS said the high percentage was due to sharp increases in Mindanao, Metro Manila, and the Visayas.

Self-rated poverty rose to 60 percent in Mindanao, 67 percent in the Visayas, and 43 percent in Metro Manila. It only decreased in Balance Luzon from 40 percent in March to 35 percent in June.

Respondents in Metro Manila said they need a monthly budget of P20,000 for them not to be considered poor.

Meanwhile, a monthly budget of P15,000 was needed by those in Balance Luzon, P11,000 in the Visayas, and P15,000 in Mindanao.

"The SRPTs (Self-Rated Poverty Threshold) for Mindanao, Balance Luzon, and Metro Manila are at record-highs," SWS said.

FOOD POOR

The June 2018 survey also showed that 34 percent or an estimated 7.8 million families also rated their food as “poor,” which is 5 points higher in a quarter-on-quarter basis.

In terms of geographical area, food poverty went up to 45 percent in Mindanao, 23 percent in Metro Manila, and 26 percent in Balance Luzon. The Visayas remained steady at 45 percent.

For families not to be considered food poor, a monthly budget of P10,000 is needed in Metro Manila, P5,000 in Balance Luzon, P6,000 in the Visayas, and P7,000 in Mindanao.

"The values for Metro Manila and the Visayas are record-highs in the area," the polling firm said.

Of the 48 percent self-rated poor families, 36 percent fell into the "always poor" category. The remaining 12 percent slipped into poverty.

Of the remaining 52 percent who consider themselves to be non-poor families, 25.8 percent have never experienced poverty, SWS said.

The remaining 26 percent pulled themselves out of poverty.

The poll results were obtained using face-to-face interviews, questioning 300 individuals for each locale. Respondents were asked to classify their families into categories of "not poor", "on the line", and "poor."