By CHARO LOGARTA
ABS-CBN News
The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) on Friday has expressed concern many families would slip below the poverty line amid the spiraling cost of food and services.
A study by the NSCB indicated that an ordinary family of five living in Metro Manila needs over P10,000 a month just to meet the bare essentials, including food, transportation and shelter.
The figure is 22% higher than the P8,569 poverty threshold in government's latest Family Income and Expenditure Survey conducted in 2006.
"Gagastusin mo lang yan sa pagkain, edukasyon, sa health, sa tranportation. Walakang natitirang panggastos para sa pagpap ganda, pagsi-sine, ‘yong mga tinatawag nga nating hindi basic needs for survival," said Dr Romulo Virola, NSCB director general.
The increase in the cost needed for necessities is due to spiraling prices of fuel and rice. In 2008 alone, for example, diesel prices have gone up P7.00 per liter.
Increases in oil and commodity prices increase the amount needed to meet a family's basic needs.
Since this has outpaced increases in income however NSCB fears spiraling prices could mean more families slipping below the poverty line and derail government's drive towards poverty reduction.
The latest government statistics show that 26.9% of Filipino families, or over 4.68 million do not meet the minimum income required for basic daily needs.
The NSCB estimates that the number of poor families could reach up to 259,135 in Metro Manila alone in 2008 from the 167,316 in 2006. This is up almost 55-percent from government's latest figure.
This is why government says it is willing to forego its commitment of a balanced budget this year and spend up to P75 billion if only to keep thousands of Filipino families out of poverty.