Manila, April 29 -- About 35 percent, or an estimated 9.2 million Filipino households, consider themselves poor, based on the first quarter survey of OCTA Research released on Wednesday.

This figure is slightly lower than the 37 percent recorded during the survey in the last quarter of 2025.

The slight decline in self-rated poverty could suggest a modest improvement in overall economic conditions, according to OCTA.

The OCTA Research, however, said the difference is not statistically significant and remains within the survey's margin of error.

The survey, held March 19-25, asked 1,200 adults the question: "Where would you place your family in this card?"

At least 24 percent answered "not poor" while 41 percent said, "can't say if poo...