Experiences and Coping of Low-Income Parents during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This research investigated and described the experiences and ways of coping among low- income parents of La Paz, San Narciso, Zambales, Philippines during COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has primarily affected Filipino families most particularly the low-income earners. Income loss for affected individuals is assumed to start at the beginning of the crisis and lasts the duration of the crisis. Most of the respondents receive wage which are spent for their children’s basic needs. They are not financially capable of providing gadgets for their child/children as well as continuous internet connection. Majority of parents are not permanently employed for they are probably on-call, seasonal workers, small scale entrepreneur, self-employed and/or farmer. Parents encountered and experienced delayed payments of their medical expenses and monthly utility bills. Some participants were laid off from their jobs/works and with this condition they barely avail of essential services. In reality, the crisis might exacerbate savings depletion at the onset due to the delay in assistance. Parent participants cope with the adverse economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic by venturing on other form/mode of earning income like online selling, farming and fishing.