Many Filipinos also have trouble looking for jobs, paying bills
Seven out of ten Filipinos believe that they are poor, according to the results of the latest IBON nationwide survey.
BY IBON FOUNDATION
Posted by Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 4, February 24-March 1, 2008
Seven out of ten Filipinos believe that they are poor, according to the results of the latest IBON nationwide survey.
The IBON January 2008 survey showed that 71.7 percent of 1,503 respondents thought of themselves as poor, from 67.7 percent in the January 2007 survey round and 74.1 percent in October 2007.
Moreover, 44.1 percent of respondents said there were no available jobs or livelihood opportunities in their areas, 40.1 percent said that there were livelihood opportunities or jobs but not enough, and only 12.3 percent said that there were enough opportunities.
Majority of Filipinos also continue to have trouble paying for basic expenses in the past three months. The survey showed that 68.1 percent of respondents said they had a problem buying medicines or paying for medical treatments, 67 percent had trouble paying for water and electricity bills, or both, 66.3 percent had problems paying for their children’s schooling, 63.2 percent could not buy enough food, and 60.6 percent could not pay for transportation costs.
The January 2008 IBON survey was conducted nationwide from January 7 to 14 with a total of 1,503 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus three percent. IBON Foundation/posted by Bulatlat
Below is the tabulation of results of the respondents’ perception of their poverty, livelihood situation, and meeting basic expenses.
When you look at your situation today, do you think of yourself as poor?
|
January 2007 |
July 2007 | October 2007 |
January 2008 |
|
| Yes |
67.65 |
76.81 | 74.10 |
71.66 |
| No |
7.10 |
14.58 | 20.03 |
17.90 |
| Don’t Know |
23.98 |
7.33 | 5.07 |
9.38 |
| No answer |
1.27 |
1.28 | 0.80 |
1.06 |
Are there available jobs/livelihood opportunities in your area?
|
January 2007 |
July 2007 | October 2007 |
January 2008 |
|
| Yes, there are |
21.77 |
16.94 | 25.10 |
12.31 |
| Yes, but not enough |
37.58 |
32.66 | 27.10 |
40.05 |
| None |
35.50 |
44.35 | 43.32 |
44.05 |
| Don’t know |
3.75 |
3.63 | 3.81 |
2.99 |
| No answer |
1.41 |
2.42 | 0.67 |
0.60 |
In the past three (3) months, has your family had a problem meeting the following expenses?
|
January 2007 |
July 2007 |
October 2007 |
January 2008 |
|
| Buying enough food | 66.71 | 67.00 | 67.82 | 63.21 |
| Paying for children’s schooling | 63.69 | 67.74 | 66.56 | 66.33 |
| Paying for transportation | 59.65 | 65.32 | 60.01 | 60.61 |
| Paying for water and/or electricity | 64.02 | 72.45 | 68.36 | 66.93 |
| Buying medicines/paying for medical treatment | 62.47 | 71.24 | 71.70 | 68.13 |
