FULL FARMS, EMPTY PLATES: W. Visayas’ hunger paradox as 151,000 families remained food poor in 2023

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Around 151,000 households in Western Visayas remained unable to meet their minimum food requirements in 2023 despite the region’s surplus production of key agricultural commodities, highlighting persistent challenges in food affordability and access.

A report by the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas (RDC-6), citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), showed that 7.5% of households, or about 151,000 families, were classified as food poor or living below the food threshold during the first semester of 2023.

The report estimated that a family of five needed at least PHP 10,005 a month to meet its basic food needs during the period.

The regional rate exceeded the national subsistence incidence among families, which the PSA placed at 5.9% for the first semester of 2023.

The regional food threshold of PHP 10,005 was also higher than the national food threshold of PHP 9,550 a month for a family of five during the same period.

The figures were presented as part of the region’s assessment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger, which noted that while Western Visayas has achieved food sufficiency in several staple commodities, many families continue to struggle to put enough food on the table.

SDG 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030, underscoring the need for policies that address both food production and equitable access to nutritious food.

According to the report, Western Visayas posted surpluses in several agricultural commodities, with a rice self-sufficiency index of 127%, white corn at 306%, poultry at 171%, pork at 119%, and beef at 168%.

“This reflects a relatively stable food supply base and an economy where agriculture continues to play a vital role in supporting both local consumption and interregional trade,” the report said.

Despite this, the RDC-6 flagged the region’s continued dependence on imported vegetables and yellow corn used for animal feed, while climate-related risks continue to threaten agricultural production.

The report noted that strong agricultural output has not translated into improved nutrition and food security, pointing to affordability rather than food availability as the primary challenge.

“Despite food sufficiency in key staples, structural challenges persist. Around 7.5 percent of households are classified as food poor, with a monthly food threshold of PHP 10,005 for a family of five, indicating that affordability and access—not just production—are critical constraints,” it said.

It added that the region’s dependence on imported vegetables and yellow corn, coupled with climate-related risks, exposes vulnerabilities in the food system.

“This highlights a gap between agricultural productivity and equitable food distribution, ultimately shaping the region’s nutrition outcomes,” the RDC-6 said.

The assessment said achieving Zero Hunger requires shifting policy focus from merely increasing food production to ensuring that families can consistently access and afford nutritious food.

The region’s nutrition profile also showed that 6.49% of its 348,797 children, or 22,654, suffer from malnutrition.

Among the forms of malnutrition, 3.96%, or 13,818 children, are stunted, with Antique recording the highest prevalence at 9.55%.

Meanwhile, 1.86%, or about 6,502 children, suffer from wasting, a form of acute malnutrition linked to recent weight loss, inadequate food intake, or illness.

Another 0.67% of children were classified as overweight or obese.

Although Western Visayas has made progress in addressing malnutrition in recent years, the National Nutrition Council in Western Visayas (NNC-6) said the region needs stronger nutrition interventions.

“There remains a need to further strengthen programs and interventions to improve overall nutrition outcomes,” the NNC-6 said. (Photo by Dennis Gamarcha)