rice prices jumped 50 percent in the past two months ...

A group of homeless children stay inside their tent on the sidewalk as they take their lunch Wednesday, April 2, 2008 in Manila. With the poor people greatly affected, rice prices jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004, hitting consumers pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in many parts of Asia where rice is staple.

A man cooks his meal on the sidewalk with an improvised stove Wednesday, April 2, 2008 in Manila. With the poor people greatly affected, rice prices jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004, hitting consumers pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in many parts of Asia where rice is staple.

A group of homeless people do their chores on the side of the street Wednesday, April 2, 2008 in Manila. With the poor people greatly affected, rice prices jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004, hitting consumers pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in many parts of Asia where rice is staple.

homeless woman prepares to feed her son on the side of the street Wednesday, April 2, 2008 in Manila. With the poor people greatly affected, rice prices jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004, hitting consumers pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in many parts of Asia where rice is staple.

Children pick up recyclable food waste materials from a dump in the industrial district of Tondo in Manila on March 31, 2008. The workers can earn 0.20 USD per kilo of plastic collected. Official figures released earlier this month showed 3.8 million more people had joined the ranks of the poor between 2003 and 2006, amid cuts in social spending and new taxes to boost a narrow revenue base. The data showed one in three Filipinos live on a USDor less per day.