Author : Pascual, Beverlo P.

Summary : The general focus of this study was to explore the labor allocation patterns and survival strategies of the 60 Waray speaking farming households in Barangay Botoc, Pinabacdao, Samar, Philippines. Specifically, the study characterized the study area, the respondents and their households; determined the different patterns of resource use by farm households; and evaluated the relationship between household size and income and household access to means of production and productive or economic activities. To attain the objectives, the study employed survey, key informants, participant observation, and review of secondary data methods. The data gathered were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analysis. On the average, the household respondents cultivated two parcels oof land with an average of 1.07 hectares each. Although they still retained some of their traditional practices, majority of them adopted intercropping system of farming to maximize production. Majority of the respondents were males, married, with a mean age of 48 years, educational attainment of grade six, with average household size of five members, and had resided in the barangay for an average of 44 years. The potential labor force and participation rate of all sample households was 59 percent and 86 percent, respectively; where participation rate was a little bit higher from the households with very small cultivated farms and dominated by male household members. The father and children were relatively more involved in productive activities than the mother, spending about three-fourths of the potential 12 hours of daily work time. On the other hand, the mother spent 57 percent of her daily work time for those activities. For income generation, the households earned 31 percent from onfarm production and 69 percent from off-farm/non-farm employment. For household expenditures, food item ranks first and the house repair and maintenance ranked as the least.