Senator Risa says P64 for 3 meals a day is not enough

National

Senator Risa Hontiveros described the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) data, which considers Filipinos who spend over P64 a day on meals as "not food poor," as “nakakainsulto at nakakalungkot.”

Hontiveros was reacting to NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan’s pronouncement during the Development Budget Coordination Committee’s (DBCC) briefing at the Senate on Tuesday that the food poverty threshold has now been set at P64, which means Filipinos can survive with a budget that covers three meals a day.

This figure represents an increase from P55 in 2021 and P63 two years later.

This revelation quickly stirred the community, with many criticizing the low food poverty threshold for underestimating the public's needs.

Hontiveros expressed disbelief over the low threshold, describing it as unrealistic during a press conference in Cebu City on Friday, August 16, she emphasized that it was both “insulting” and “saddening.”

She highlighted the inadequacy of the threshold, noting that if the government continues to set such low standards, the country's ambitions would remain limited.

She remarked that if the government thinks that's all the people need, then that’s all the country will aim for, and questioned where that would leave them.

Hontiveros also questioned the feasibility of the P64 threshold, pointing out that it is nearly impossible for individuals, let alone families, to survive on such a meager amount.

She noted that during the DBCC briefing, which happens annually during budget debates, she questioned if anyone can even eat a meal alone for P64, let alone feed five people three meals a day.

She called for more realistic data on the minimum budget needed for Filipinos to eat regularly, explaining that accurate figures are essential for the government to adjust future projects to meet the people's current needs.

She emphasized the need to be realistic about what each Filipino needs to eat healthily and live with dignity.

"Maging mas realistic naman tayo sa kung ano talaga ang minimum na kailangan ng bawat Pilipino para kumain ng malusog [at] mabuhay nang makatao," she said.

"Para din itaas naman naming lahat na nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno yung targets namin in terms of nutrition, food security, poverty alleviation," the senator added.

Meanwhile, former senator Kiko Pangilinan also criticized the computations, suggesting that those responsible for them should be dismissed.

He called for a reconfiguration of the calculations, arguing that the P21 amount per meal cannot be justified as ensuring "food security."

“Hindi ko maintindihan yung kalokohang yun…I don’t see the logic. I don’t see the science. I don’t see the reality in such a computation. I think whoever did this deserves to be fired, whoever worked on these numbers. And for

Secretary Balisacan, I suggest you, NEDA goes back to the drawing board, re-configure your computations. Because I don’t see how you can justify P21 a meal as being food secured,” he said.

Balisacan, however, previously admitted that the number was outdated despite adjustments for inflation.

Hontiveros, Pangilinan, former Senator Bam Aquino, and Lawyer Chel Diokno collectively held a press conference in Cebu City on Friday to share their views on the various issues faced by Filipinos.(MyTVCebu)