BS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Socioeconomic Status and Food Security Among Internal Migrant Working Individuals in an Urban Barangay in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Philippines

Adviser

Joyce P. Parco, RND, MPH

The Filipinos have been suffering from moderate to severe food insecurity for years, and with the sudden emergence of a global pandemic, their socioeconomic status was put at risk. This non-experimental correlational study determined the association between socioeconomic status and food security among 89 internal migrant working individuals in Sta. Anastacia, Sto. Tomas, Batangas. The sampling technique was purposive convenience and the data collection using an online questionnaire went on for 20 days starting May 2022. Data analysis used the Rasch model, Spearman's rho correlation coefficient, and cross-tabulation. The majority of the respondents were high school graduates and were plant and machine operators and assemblers. Above half had an income of 10,000-14,999 pesos. Findings suggest a significantly weak negative relationship (ρ=-.349) between income and food insecurity (p=0.001), meaning that an increase in income also increases food security. Meanwhile, the association between educational attainment and food insecurity (p=0.451) was negative, very weak, and not statistically significant (p=0.451). Higher food insecurity experience was observed more among clerical support workers, service and sales workers, technicians, and plant and machine operators and assemblers. Research findings may be used by the authorities as a basis for the development of interventions, programs, and regulations aimed at improving the socioeconomic status and food security of the country's workforce. Findings support that wages, salaries, and employment and educational opportunities be increased especially for low- and middle-skilled workers in both rural and urban areas.

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