Self-rated poverty in the Philippines fell to 37 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 54 percent in the previous quarter, according to OCTA Research.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David said the decline was based on a survey of 1,200 respondents conducted from Dec. 3 to 11, 2025, which asked whether they considered themselves poor.

"I think people having money because of bonuses was a factor. But another factor, perhaps, was the administration's continued efforts to distribute 'ayuda' (assistance)," David said in an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Tuesday.

David also cited easing inflation as a contributing factor.

"The inflation rate has stabilized," he said.

"Life is not as hard as it was before, because our economic indicators have stabilized," he added in a mix of English and Filipino.

The survey results indicate that about 4.5 million Filipino families no longer consider themselves poor.

Food poverty also declined, falling to 19 percent from 49 percent in the previous quarter.

"I think government programs have helped significantly in terms of access to food. There are food centers where people could go," David said.

OCTA Research said the decline in food poverty "translates to roughly 5 million families who perceived themselves as better able to meet their food needs within one quarter."

The survey has a margin of error of ±3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.