SWS: 45% of Filipinos used money earned from jobs amid COVID-19 pandemic

The source of funds of about 45 percent of Filipinos used to purchase basic needs in a household come from money earned from their jobs amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to the special Social Weather Stations (SWS) Covid-19 Mobile Survey.

Meanwhile, about 39 percent use money that was given to them or money amelioration while 21 percent use their personal savings, and 6 percent use money that was loaned to them.

The SWS underscored that the respondents were not provided with a list of choices and that they were allowed to give more than one answer.

For those who used money amelioration, this includes any form of cash assistance received by the respondent’s family, such as the government’s Social Amelioration Program (SAP), vouchers, and gift certificates.

Also, 6 percent of the respondents said they do not spend money because they receive relief goods while 2 percent said they do not spend money because they harvest their own crops.

These families, the SWS said, may not be spending money but it does not imply that all their needs have been met.

The COVID-19 Mobile Survey was conducted using mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) of 4,010 working-age Filipinos (15 years old and above).

There were 294 in the National Capital Region, 1,645 in Balance Luzon (or Luzon outside of Metro Manila), 792 in the Visayas, and 1,279 in Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±2% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, ±2 for Balance Luzon, ±3% Visayas, and ±3% in Mindanao).

The open-ended question asked of the respondents was, "Sa kasalukuyan, saan po kumukuha ang inyong pamilya ng pera para sa pang-araw-araw na panggastos sa bahay? [Currently, where does your family get money for daily household expenses?]

The respondents were allowed to provide multiple responses.

MONEY SPENDING BY REGIONS

Money amelioration is the most common answer in Metro Manila at 41%, while money earned from a job is the most common answer in the Visayas at 51%, Balance Luzon at 43%, and Mindanao at 49%.

In Metro Manila, 41% of families use money amelioration for their daily household expenses, 33% use money earned from a job, 26% use their personal savings, and 7% use money-loan. Twelve percent receive relief goods, and 0.3% harvest their own crops.

In Balance Luzon, 43% of families use money earned from a job, 41% use money amelioration, 24% use their personal savings, and 6% use money from loans. Four percent receive relief goods, and 2% harvest their own crops.

In the Visayas, a majority 51% of families use money earned from a job, 34% use money amelioration, 12% use their personal savings, and 7% use money-loan. Eight percent receive relief goods, and 3% harvest their own crops.

In Mindanao, 49% of families use money earned from a job, 37% use money amelioration, 19% use their personal savings, and 4% use money-loan. Six percent receive relief goods, and 2% harvest their own crops. -- BAP, GMA News