Malacañang assured the public that the Marcos administration is expanding its anti-poverty programs following a survey showing a rise in self-rated poverty among Filipinos.

A recent StratBase-SWS survey showed that 55 percent of Filipino families rated themselves as poor in April, equivalent to 15.5 million families, compared to 14.4 million families in March.

In her press briefing on Monday, April 28, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration recognizes all legitimate surveys and considers them in policymaking.

Citing Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, the Palace Press Officer said the survey results may have been influenced by inflation.

"We understand poverty incidence can be dynamic. In particular, self-rated poverty surveys are sensitive to inflation, particularly the price level of commodities commonly consumed, say food, transportation, etc., prevailing at the time of the survey versus what it was in the recent past," she quoted Balisacan as saying.

Castro said President Marcos remains committed to expanding programs to address poverty and hunger.

"Dahil po dito, dahil mahalaga po ang kapakanan ng taumbayan kay Pangulong Marcos, papalawigin pa po ang mga programa para matugunan po ang mga isyu patungkol po sa kahirapan at kagutuman (Because of this, and because the welfare of the people is important to President Marcos, programs will be expanded to address poverty and hunger issues)," she said.

Among the ongoing efforts Castro listed are the Walang Gutom Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, the School-Based Feeding Program, and the upcoming rollout of the P20 per kilo of rice.

P20 rice program rollout set for May

The Palace Press Officer also clarified issues surrounding the P20 per kilo rice program, a key campaign promise of President Marcos, which is set to roll out in Cebu on May 1, with local government units (LGUs) overseeing the distribution.

Castro denied online claims that the rice intended for the program was of poor quality.

"Hindi pa po nag-roll out kaya po ito ay masabi natin isang disinformation (The program has not yet rolled out, so we can consider this disinformation)," she said.

Castro reiterated that the rice will be sourced from local farmers, not imports.

Meanwhile, additional details on specific cooperatives or farmers involved will be provided by LGUs once available.

The Palace official also dismissed allegations that the timing of the program's launch is politically motivated ahead of the midterm elections.

"Sa politika po, wala pong timing (In politics, there is no timing)," she said.

"Malamang sinasabi lamang ito para muling bigyan ng negatibong epekto ang isinasagawa ng Pangulo para matupad ang P20 kada kilo na bigas (It is likely that such claims are being made to again cast a negative light on the President’s efforts to fulfill the P20 per kilo rice)," she added.

Castro explained that the program took time to organize due to the need for coordination with local government units and proper planning.

She added that the project is expected to be sustainable until December 2025, with plans to include funding for it in the next national budget.