With self-rated food poverty on the rise, former Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Tuesday committed to utilize surveys and data science to design anti-hunger initiatives that would address food poverty and childhood malnutrition in the city.
According to Nograles, the former chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, “by using polling and data science, we can identify the specific needs of our communities and implement anti-hunger programs that are not just broad strokes, but precise, effective, and genuinely life-changing.”
“It’s time we embrace 21st-century tools to solve age-old problems. Hunger is a solvable challenge, and by using the right technology and strategies, we can ensure no Dabawenyo goes to bed hungry.”
Nograles added that utilizing data would also ensure that City Hall can properly assess the impact of its anti-hunger programs and make modifications if necessary.
In the December 2024 Social Weather Stations survey, it was revealed Self-Rated Food Poverty was highest in Mindanao at 68%, followed by the Visayas at 61%, Balance Luzon at 42%, and Metro Manila at 39%.
The Mindanao region’s food poverty rate is 17 percentage points greater than the national rate of 51%.
According to Nograles, a Philippine Science High School alumnus who obtained his college and law school degrees from Ateneo, utilizing data science would ensure that Davao City’s financial resources are fully maximized in efforts to curb hunger.
“No two barangays are the same, and no two families face hunger in the same way. By micro-targeting our programs through data-driven approaches, we can ensure that every peso spent goes directly to the people who need it most,” explained the longtime public servant.
He pointed out that “this is not just about using numbers; it’s about empowering communities. By engaging them in the process and understanding their realities through data, we can make them active partners in solving hunger in Davao City.”
Nograles added that utilizing data would also ensure that City Hall can properly assess the impact of its anti-hunger programs and make modifications if necessary.
“Data science doesn’t just help us identify needs; it also allows us to measure the impact of every program. With this approach, Dabawenyos can trust that City Hall is delivering results and being fully transparent with its resources,” said the former Davao congressman.
“By using polling and data science to guide our anti-hunger programs, we’re not just addressing immediate needs; we’re building a framework for sustainable solutions. Davao City can and should set the gold standard for how local governments use technology to solve real problems.”
