Abstract

This study was intended to augment current information on the characteristics and activities of the poor. A survey was conducted similar to the 1985 Socio-Economic Survey of Special Groups of Families undertaken by the NSO and NEDA. Respondents were the bottom 30% sample families of the 1988 Family Income and Expenditure Surveys for five regions (National Capital Region, Regions 5, 8, 9 and 12). A profile of the low-income families in the study showed that they were large families with many members below 21 years of age. They were usually headed by a male between 31 to 50 years old who was an elementary graduate. Most heads were employed having his own business without an employee. The women were usually not in the labor force but a large number also sought employment. The families usually encountered problems in their business. Most of them did not have vocational skills and of the few who had, most got their skills through experience. Despite this, they did not feel they needed any training. Those who wanted training usually went to study cosmetology, dressmaking or auto/radio repair. Most of the services availed of by these families were still provided by the government.