Manila, Aug. 21 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) welcomed the results of the latest survey of OCTA Research and Social Weather Stations (SWS) as these reports can further enhance the DSWD's implementation of social protection programs and services for the poor, marginalized and vulnerable sectors.

Based on the second quarter 2026 Tugon ng Masa (TNM) nationwide survey of OCTA Research from July 4 to 11 with 1,200 respondents, self-rated poverty rose to 39 percent in July from 35 percent in March, translating to roughly 10.3 million families.

Self-rated hunger also increased to 21 percent or around 5.6 million families in July from 17 percent or about 4.5 million families in March.

Despite the increase in self-r...