Manila, Jan. 21 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) attributed the sharp decline in food poverty in the last quarter of 2025 to the sustained government efforts to secure food supply and stabilize prices.

In a news release Wednesday, the DA cited the latest Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey by OCTA Research, which showed a decline in self-rated food poverty from 49 percent to 30 percent, down by 19 percent.

OCTA Research said this represented roughly 5 million families, and marks one of the fastest improvements in food poverty perceptions in the TNM series.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the results demonstrate that government efforts and interventions, such as the "Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!" program that aims to ensure ...