Food insecurity is a significant issue in the Philippines, with approximately one out of ten

households experiencing food insecurity. The causes of food insecurity in the Philippines are
complex and multifaceted, with economic, environmental, and social factors contributing to the
problem.

One of the primary causes of food insecurity in the Philippines is agricultural dependence. The
agricultural sector is a significant contributor to the country's economy, but challenges faced by
Filipino farmers, such as natural calamities and income loss, have a detrimental effect on food
security. Income disparities also contribute to food insecurity, with a growing income gap
between the upper and lower classes hampering proper access to food, especially for those in
lower income brackets.
Regional disparities also play a role in food insecurity, with the poorest regions in the Philippines
being the most food insecure. Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM):
The BARMM ranks the lowest in terms of human development and living standards due to
armed conflict and insecurity, which exacerbates food insecurity in the region and also the
Borgen Project. The Philippines' reliance on imported food, particularly staples like rice, also
contributes to food insecurity, as the country has limited tools to mitigate the impact of global
supply shortages and higher prices. The Philippines has long been facing challenges in food
security despite having vast agricultural land ready for cultivation. To ensure food sufficiency,
the country has depended on imports, such that our import dependency ratio in 2021 was at
25.1 percent, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Understanding the biases in data related to food insecurities is crucial for developing effective
interventions. Convenient and inconvenient facts play a significant role in identifying and
explaining biases in data related to food insecurities in the Philippines.

Convenient Facts

Prevalence: Approximately one out of ten households in the Philippines are food insecure, with
about a quarter of agricultural households experiencing food insecurity.
Regional Disparities: The poorest regions in the Philippines are generally the most food
insecure, with the agricultural sector being more affected by food insecurity. The biggest
challenge to accessing food in the Philippines is the lack of income due to unemployment. This
problem is especially prevalent in the southern island group of Mindanao, where nine of the 16
poorest provinces lie. In Muslim Mindanao, which most recently serves as a battleground
between ISIS-affiliated Maute group and the Philippines military, 50 percent of the population
lives below the country’s poverty line, making just 60 cents per day. Those who reported to be
food-insecure in this area cited lack of income (37%), lack of a regular job (18%) and droughts
and natural calamities (12%) as main reasons for going hungry.
Income and Food Budget: Households spend more than half of their monthly income on food
on average, with agricultural households spending about 66% of their income on food.
Inconvenient Facts

Recall Bias: Studies suggest that data related to food insecurity among Filipino households can
be prone to recall bias, potentially affecting the accuracy of reported food insecurity rates.
Economic Constraints: Economic gains have not translated into improved nutritional status,
indicating that economic factors such as income and food budget are necessary but not
sufficient conditions for food security.
The Philippines assesses food security at the national level, but regional data tells a different
story, emphasizing disparities between different areas. The economy's heavy dependence on
agriculture, income disparities, and regional variations in food insecurity underscore the need for
nuanced data analysis to address biases and accurately identify vulnerable populations. By
acknowledging these convenient and inconvenient facts, policymakers and organizations can
develop targeted strategies to combat food insecurities effectively in the Philippines.

•https://www.borgenmagazine.com/causes-food-insecurity-in-the-philippines/
•https://www.ipl.org/essay/Philippines-Food-Security-PCYWHN5AWG
•https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/07/13/why-philippines-is-so-vulnerable-to-food-inflation-pub-
87467