Impact Assessment of Social Amelioration Program (SAP) on the Food Expenditure and Nutrition of Household Beneficiaries in 2020 in Barangay Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna

Date

1-2024

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics

College

College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Salvador P. Catelo

Committee Member

Julieta A. Delos Reyes, Ma. Angeles O. Catelo

Restrictions

Restricted: Not available to the general public. Access is available only after consultation with author/thesis adviser and only to those bound by the confidentiality agreement.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a major economic concern to the Philippines because of its unemployment and increase in food prices consequences that had disturbing effects on the purchasing power and food and nutrition security of Filipinos. In response, the Philippine government provided social assistance to mitigate these harmful effects especially among the poor and vulnerable individuals. One of these initiatives was the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It aimed to offer cash assistance to the Philippines' most vulnerable households. This study was conducted to assess the effect of SAP on the food expenditure and nutrition of the SAP household beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, in Barangay Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna.. In order to attain these objectives, paired t-test and correlation were done. The 2020 data regarding the household monthly income, amount of food purchased, and nutrient consumption were gathered from the respondents from Barangay, Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna. There was a significant difference in monthly household income during months with and without SAP cash assistance. But depending solely on SAP cash assistance for additional income appeared insufficient in 2020, as it covered only a small percentage of the beneficiaries' average annual household income. The results also revealed the association between monthly household income and monthly expenditures during the months with SAP cash assistance. However, the association between monthly household income and food purchases during the months with SAP cash assistance was not significant, except for fruits and vegetables which were considered as normal and inferior good, respectively. Concerning monthly household income and nutrient consumption, their correlation was also not evident during the months with SAP cash assistance. Providing alternative employment opportunities for household beneficiaries can help mitigate the effects of natural calamities or national emergencies. Similarly, maintaining stable prices of agricultural commodities during pandemic is crucial to ensure continued affordability of essential food baskets. Given that there was no observed association between monthly household income and nutrient intake during months with SAP cash assistance, providing in-kind food assistance may be more beneficial. It would directly supply food that could help in addressing hunger and nutrient deficiencies among household beneficiaries. Furthermore, incorporating vitamins or supplements tailored to specific malnutrition concerns may prove beneficial.

Language

English

LC Subject

Cost and standard of living--Philippines

Location

UPLB College of Economics and Management (CEM)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2024 A14 P37

Document Type

Thesis

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