SAN LORENZO RUIZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Kaalinsabay Rd., Manggahan, Pasig City
THE STRUGGLES OF MIDDLE-INCOME FAMILIES IN MANGGAHAN, PASIG CITY DURING
ENHANCED COMMUNITY QUARANTINE
Name of researchers
Arimado, Jay
Cabral, Kervyn C.
Cordova, Noah
Asuncion, Christine
Camagay, Athena
Cruz, Noreen
Mallen, Ronielyn
Moreno, Xyrelle
Santillan, Jane Ella M.
Supang, Annecy
Tadeja, Marinelle E.
Abstract
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Introduction
During this pandemic businesses that were capable of
producing the essential goods were forced to increase their
suggested retail price that adds up in the struggles of every
The Country of Nigeria
household. It is found that inflation has positive effects, but
negative effects will occur as well (Mehrara and Moghadasfer
Coronavirus disease causes major damage in most
2012). Business or Companies will be the one who will claim
parts of the world. An example is the country Nigeria which
this positive effect and while they’re gaining income negative
according to Hevia & Neumeyer (2020) the situation in
effects will be on the consumers. Abdul Latif & Hanif (2016)
Nigeria is terrible because it is a developing country and
stated that inflation is a factor why social and economic
because of the pandemic the exports, countries income and
struggles occurred. This means that before this pandemic
their global credit were decreased. The researchers Haleem.
families were struggling because of the price inflation. The
et. al. (2020) found out through their research that COVIDinability to purchase items is because of rising prices that
19 has affected daily activities and interrupts the growth of
cause hunger of people (Barua 2009). Rahman (2008) also
the economies, worldwide. This results in the increased
said that employees with decent salaries may become poorer
number of job loss, the slowed production in supply of daily
due to increased prices. The only way to face price hike is to
goods, and not having enough cash flows inside the industry.
switch to another job with high income Abdul Latif & Hanif
This is one of the contributors why households were
(2016). Which is an impossible way because some individuals
financially unstable. Also Kuckertz et al. (2020) state that
lack in requirements needed for jobs and the pandemic is still
coronavirus (SARS-CoV- 2) and the sudden appearance of
around which needs health examinations when applying for
COVID-19 has led many governments to take harsh
work. Price Inflation is one of the household struggles during
measures that causes the struggles of households in Nigeria.
the pandemic. People won't be able to afford essential goods
These measures caused them to disobey rules because of
and it will lead them in the decision of working despite the
being financially unstable during a pandemic. The coping
policies implemented.
strategies discovered by the researchers are having advance
salary, borrowing on friends or close relatives, and selling
things to raise funds. The least recommended strategy is
Country’s Current Situation
borrowing from banks. Onyekwena & Ekeruche (2020) stated
that there is a decrease in household consumption in Nigeria
The current situation right now in our country would
because of the pandemic. The first factor is consumers only
be relatable in the research done in Nigeria because both the
spend money on essential goods, second their expectations in
Philippines and Nigeria experienced the same devastating
future income were low or worst none, and third the loss of
effects of COVID-19 pandemic. Kuckertz et al. (2020) state
riches because stocks declined.
that coronavirus (SARS-CoV- 2) and the sudden appearance
of COVID-19 has led many governments to take harsh
Inflation
measures that causes the struggles of households in Nigeria.
Just like in the Philippines the government implemented
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SAN LORENZO RUIZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Kaalinsabay Rd., Manggahan, Pasig City
lockdown and community quarantine in almost all parts of
the country. This causes the businesses and tourist
destinations to shut down until the lockdown is lifted. While
the prolonged lockdown is still existing, people in our country
already lack ideas on how to cope with their everyday needs.
That's why individuals were forced to work despite the
increasing number of infected people. Haleem. et. al. (2020)
found out through their research that COVID-19 has affected
daily activities and interrupts the growth of the economies,
worldwide. Our country that used to be a great tourist
attraction to foreign people has been affected by this
pandemic that causes the decrease in the country's income.
Thompson and Leight (2012) discussed that inequality
impacts the standard living of low and middle-income
families. This statement justifies the rising inequality in our
country. The inequality in job interviews, workplace affects
the income of the household in our society which adds up in
their struggles in saving money for emergency use like this
pandemic. Lee and Kim (2018) stated that pandemic
debilitates the financial well-being of multiple families,
putting them in danger because of destabilizing income and
wealth-generating mechanisms. During this Coronavirus
pandemic financial income of families were interrupted
because obviously our country’s economic growth was
interrupted together with the jobs of parents in a household
which puts them in the line where they need to identify ways
on how to live their everyday life. Abdul Latif & Hanif (2016)
said that people will become poorer if nominal increases of
income of people can’t compensate for inflation. Relating to
this while our country is suffering because of this pandemic
the businesses that are producing the essential needs were
coming up in the idea where they are increasing the price of
their products because of the law of supply and demand. The
inability to purchase items is because of rising prices that
cause hunger of people (Barua 2009). This will be an
additional casualty during pandemic. Mortality rate due to
hunger amidst pandemic can be a problem our country will
face. Abdul Latif & Hanif (2016) asserted that middle class
people are struggling on managing their expenditures.
Households in our country struggles in managing the
minimal income we've been receiving because essential goods
prices have increased and this causes people to purchase or
buy goods that aren't well trusted or that can cause harm to
their family. Lai (2011) stated that families encounter
financial stress because they don't have enough income,
wealth or debt to survive in times of economic difficulties. In
current times some parents were forced to do unnecessary
things just to gain money. Parents also encounter stress not
only financially. During the imposed lockdown we are told to
stay inside the house. So the point of view each parent will
have is the thoughts about their family consumption during
the lockdown. Rahman (2008) also said that employees with
decent salaries may become poorer due to increased prices.
Thus the opposite way is happening which is the increase in
unemployment rate. While the increase of essential goods
prices were happening the unemployment rate was
increasing too. Our country is currently in the stage of
recovering but the unexpected increase in the number of
cases day by day is the factor that is slowing down the
process. This is because employees in a household were forced
to work in order to attain the family needs and this might be
a chance for the fast spread of the disease.
Electric, Medical Consumption And the Support Given
by Employers
The research conducted by the past researchers lacks
information on how the employers assist and give support to
their employees who belong to households that were
financially unstable. Given that the lockdown was prolonged
and families didn't have enough savings to deal with the
additional number of lockdown days. Although we are aware
of the insurances in the employees contract but how long will
these insurances be enough. Also the topic on how will these
companies somehow support these families if their income
had decreased too. The results may appear to be somehow
contradicting because instead of providing support to their
employees this support might be a salary deduction in the
near future knowing that insurances may not fully support
the employees needs. Also the past study failed to discuss
the experiences of households in dealing with other expenses
like power consumption and medical expenses. The problems
in our country that the researchers haven't discussed
through their study is the support given by employers and
the experiences in electrical and medical expenses. The
importance of studying the struggles of households in our
country, especially those households who are in the middle to
low income class, is because we can identify the ways on how
to cope up or how to lessen the burden they're carrying.
Consistent support coming from their employers can be a big
help considering the prolonged lockdown in our country. High
price of electrical consumption and medical needs should be
lowered for the households to cope up and maintain their way
of living. Financial assistance should be provided to
employees to avoid mortality due to hunger. Companies that
are in the scope of producing essential goods should lower the
cost of their product for the consumers to afford it.
Aims of the Research
Our research aims to study the struggles of the middleincome families during a pandemic, specifically those who are
living in Manggahan Pasig City. We are looking forward to
knowing how they deal with the prolonged community
quarantine and their ways of living. We aim to answer the
questions:
1. What are the experiences of a middle-income family during
the enhanced community quarantine?
2. What are the struggles of a middle income family during
the enhanced community quarantine?
To gain more knowledge in this study you might encounter
some terms related to the research.
Experiences - Things or events that are personally
encountered, undergone and gone through by an individual
or group.
Inflation - In economics, inflation is defined as the situation
where prices rise in an economy. It is where the budget of cost
for goods in the market increases gradually.
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SAN LORENZO RUIZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Kaalinsabay Rd., Manggahan, Pasig City
Budgeting - In business, budgeting is the estimation of
expenses to be spent on products and services. It is also the
planning of costs to buy the consumer goods in the
marketplace. One of its purposes is to manage our money
well.
Struggles - Any type of violent efforts in the face of
difficulties. In life, it is defined as the challenges individuals
faced to achieve and proceed in life.
Consumption - Consumption is the usage of products and
services particularly to fulfill the requirements by the
individuals who use it such as buyers and customers.
Income - In accounting, income retains the revenue and
money received or earned, especially on a regular basis, for
work or through investments.
Quarantine - Quarantine refers to the restriction on the
movement of people and goods which is intended to prevent
the spread of disease or pests.
Price - Price is defined as the amount of money expected,
required, or given in payment for something.
Unemployment - The term unemployment is referring to
individuals who are employable and seeking a job but are
unable to find a job.
Significance
This research is conducted on five (5) middle-income
families respondents who were living in Manggahan Pasig
City. This study focuses on their struggles during pandemic
and how they manage to live despite the protocols
implemented. Respondents are given questions which relate
to their experiences and their strategies of living during the
imposed enhanced community quarantine. This research can
be useful for future researchers who wish to study the same
research like ours. This would be beneficial to some students
who want to gather information about the struggles of their
countrymen during COVID-19 pandemic. This research will
help other researchers and can gather additional information
using our research. The result of this study is beneficial to
every parent because the collected data is a basis for
suggestions to prevent them from struggling in the face of a
pandemic crisis. Furthermore, the study will benefit their
children as it will give them knowledge and realization about
the experiences and ways their parents have in order to
obtain their daily goods, thus they can help their parents to
meet their common goods. That is to say, this study has its
impact and is an advantage to attain development as this will
contribute by telling the society to start looking for different
alternatives to effectively handle and to reduce struggles
amidst the crisis.
Methodology
This research paper will be conducted using a
phenomenological research design that will discuss the
experiences of middle-income families during the Enhanced
Community Quarantine in Manggahan Pasig City. Based on
researchers Welman and Kruger (1999) phenomenologists
are focusing on understanding social and psychological
phenomena from the experiences of respondents involved.
According to researchers Greene et.,al (1997) researchers
that are using phenomenological study dealt with the lived
experiences of the associated respondents with the subject or
issue that is being studied. This research will be taken step
by step and will be carefully analyzed. Hycner (1999) states
that phenomenologists must focus on the step by step process
of this research study and cannot impose the method for it
will be an injustice to the phenomenon being subjected.
A semi-structured interview will be conducted on five (5)
families as the respondents in this research representing all
middle-income families in Manggahan Pasig, City. Families
that will be chosen will be interviewed about their struggles
or experiences during the enhanced community quarantine.
Respondents must be 18 and above and must have a stable
job or financially supporting a middle income family. Before
we proceed on our interview with the respondents we will
give first the letter of consent that discusses our aims about
the data gathering. If they agreed they would be asked some
open-ended questions using Google Meet app by means of
voice calls. Due to some circumstances caused by this
pandemic it is not allowed to interview in person so we have
to do it online. In this part the specific respondent will be
discussing with us their struggles and experiences during
enhanced community quarantine as a family. Interviews will
be conducted depending on the free or vacant time of the
respondents. During the interview, researchers will record
the whole conversation that will serve as their gathered data.
The gathered data will be analyzed. The researchers will
review each response and take notes of the thoughts that they
think are alike. After the coding, it will be grouped in a table
based on the thought it manifests and the researchers will
make meaning out of this respondents' opinions and this is
where the researchers will put the themes. The themes will
be analyzed and explained using the research question they
have formed.
Interview Questions
1. What are your experiences about managing the finances
of your family during the Enhanced Community
Quarantine?
1.1. What are your good experiences in managing the
money of your family during the ECQ?
1.2. What are your bad experiences while budgeting the
money your family has during the ECQ?
2. When was the time when you struggled financially?
2.1. What are the impacts of those financial struggles to
your family?
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SAN LORENZO RUIZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Kaalinsabay Rd., Manggahan, Pasig City
3.
2.2. Were you still able to meet the daily needs of your
family despite declining sources of income?
How did you manage to overcome the struggles you have
experienced during ECQ?
3.1. What are your family’s ways on overcoming these
struggles?
3.2. What are your ways in managing your family’s
budget during the ECQ days?
Findings
1. What are the experiences of a middle-income family
during the enhanced community quarantine?
1.
What are your experiences about managing the finances
of your family during the Enhanced Community
Quarantine?
Most of the participants experienced hardship and
difficulties in managing the finances of their families during
the Enhanced Community Quarantine. However, other
participants are able to cope up with the situation. Majority
of the participants experienced being jobless during the
Enhanced Community Quarantine. They also explained
about the adjustments they had made during the given
circumstances.
1.1. What are your good experiences in managing the money
of your family during the ECQ?
2.1. What are the impacts of those financial struggles to your
family?
Some participants shared that the impacts of those financial
struggles to their families are good lessons. Lessons that you
should’ve saved money because there might be situations like
these that you need to be prepared for. The participants’
families learned lessons about saving money. However, some
participants said that due to these financial struggles their
families experienced bitter times. A participant also shared
that their family’s usual habit of going to malls have been
changed.
2.2. Were you still able to meet the daily needs of your family
despite declining sources of income?
In general, most of the participants are still able to meet up
their needs despite the decline of income and finances. They
even share that most of them are luckily to be assisted by
some of their relatives and friends. Others also said that they
are able to cope because of saved money. But one participant
stated that their family failed to cope up with their needs
because of the shortage of income.
3. How did you manage to overcome the struggles you have
experienced during ECQ?
Almost all of the participants shared that their good
experiences while managing and budgeting their family’s
finances during the Enhanced Community Quarantine is
when their children’s expenses are reduced. They did learn to
manage their family’s expenses wisely.
During the Enhanced Community Quarantine, some
participants manage to overcome the struggles by having
faith and devotion to God. Some participants on the other
hand overcome the struggles by having to cut off going
outside often. Other participants overcome the struggles by
having their family’s support and help into sorting things out.
1.2. What are your bad experiences while budgeting the
money your family has during the ECQ?
3.1. What are your family’s ways on overcoming these
financial struggles?
The participants shared that their bad experiences during
the Enhanced Community Quarantine are when they are
jobless, needed to cut their expenses, tight their budgets and
borrow money from others. During the Enhanced Community
Quarantine, most of the participants struggle financially into
keeping their needs stable. They had a hard time budgeting
and dividing the finances that their family had.
Most participants shared that the way their families
overcome their financial struggles is through having their
children and them understand the situation. As a family,
they cooperate and sort things together in order to overcome
the struggles together.
2. What are the struggles of a middle income family
during the enhanced community quarantine?
2. When was the time when you struggled financially?
The participants experienced struggling financially mostly
during the lockdown and when the assistance that they
depend on is no longer able to sustain them. Other
participants specifically mentioned the months they suffered
most which are March, July and August. Most of them shared
that they suffered most when they needed to buy products
and services but given to the situation, they can’t.
3.2. What are your ways in managing your family’s budget
during the ECQ days?
Most of the participants manage their budget during the
Enhanced Community Quarantine by prioritizing the
primary and essential needs of their families first. Some
especially stated that they plan their budget ahead first and
it is best to list things out while some said that they buy in
large quantities rather than the retail ones. They said that it
is wise to not be an impulsive buyer and spend the finances
on the bills first.
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Kaalinsabay Rd., Manggahan, Pasig City
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Conclusion
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