FORMER Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles is planning to utilize surveys and data science to design anti-hunger initiatives that would address food poverty and childhood malnutrition in Davao City.
In a press statement, Nograles, who is a former chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, said that by using polling and data science, specific needs of the communities will be identified, thus, precise, effective, and genuinely life-changing anti-hunger programs that are not just broad strokes will be implemented.
"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, who is among the mayoralty candidates in Davao City, said.
According to the Social Weather Stations survey in December 2024, Self-Rated Food Poverty in Mindanao was at 68%, 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%.
Nograles, a Philippine Science High School alumnus who obtained his college and law school degrees from Ateneo, emphasized that 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," longtime public servant explained.
He pointed out that this idea 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 the city," he said.
Nograles added that utilizing data would also ensure that the city 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," the former Davao City First District congressman said.
"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," his statement ended. CEA
