MANILA, Philippines — Approximately 9.2 million Filipino families, or 35 percent of the population, considered themselves “poor” in the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest Tugon ng Masa survey by OCTA Research. The findings, released on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, show a slight decline from the 9.8 million families (37 percent) recorded in December 2025.
Despite the numeric dip, OCTA Research noted that self-rated poverty remains “broadly stable” as the change falls within the survey’s ±3 percentage point margin of error.
The survey provides a snapshot of how Filipinos perceive their economic status amid ongoing inflation and energy shocks:
- Self-Rated Poor: 35% (9.2 million families)
- Not Poor: 24%
- Borderline (Unsure): 41%
While the national average showed stability, significant shifts occurred at the regional level:
- Mindanao: Continues to have the highest poverty perception at 56%, despite an 11-percentage-point improvement since December 2025.
- Visayas: Recorded a self-rated poverty rate of 44%, an increase of 4 percentage points.
- Balance Luzon: Rose by 3 percentage points to 25%.
- Metro Manila: Showed the most significant improvement, dropping 12 percentage points to 21%.
OCTA Research highlighted that these shifts indicate a “widening regional variation,” with notable progress in the capital and Mindanao, contrasted by modest deterioration in the rest of Luzon and the Visayas.
The survey results coincide with broader economic pressures affecting Filipino households:
- Self-Rated Poverty Threshold: Earlier data from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) suggested that the median self-rated poverty threshold—the minimum monthly budget a family needs to not consider itself poor—has risen to approximately P15,000.
- The “Newly Poor”: A significant portion of those identifying as poor are “newly poor,” having slipped below their own perceived poverty line within the last four years, often due to job loss or the rising cost of living.
- Food Poverty: Self-rated food poverty remains a critical concern, with millions of families still struggling to meet basic nutritional needs despite overall stability in general poverty perceptions.
The government’s proposed “UPLIFT” Law (Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport) is currently being fast-tracked in Congress to address these persistent challenges and provide a safety net for families most affected by the current economic climate.