Nearly three in every 10 rural households in Western Visayas earn less than half of the national median annual income per capita, according to the Philippine Socioeconomic Panel Survey (PSPS).
The findings point to significant economic vulnerability among rural households in the region, underscoring the continuing challenges faced by many families in achieving sustainable livelihoods.
The survey covers more than 15,000 households across nearly 500 barangays in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Launched on June 2, 2026, at the University of the Philippines Visayas, the PSPS is among the country’s most comprehensive long-term studies of rural households.
Unlike traditional surveys that provide a one-time snapshot, the PSPS is designed to revisit the same households every four years over the next two decades. The longitudinal approach allows researchers and policymakers to better understand how household conditions evolve, as well as how government programs and external shocks affect welfare outcomes.
The survey also found that more than 80 percent of households surveyed operate at least one agricultural enterprise, highlighting the continued importance of farming and related livelihoods in rural economies.
In terms of health, the study reported that eight in 10 female respondents use modern contraceptive methods, indicating encouraging progress in reproductive health access.
However, access to safe drinking water remains a concern, with around one in four households still relying on untreated water sources, particularly in Antique and Negros Occidental.
On education, elementary enrollment remains high at 93 percent, but participation declines at higher levels, falling to 88 percent in junior high school and 74 percent in senior high school.
According to IPA Philippines Senior Research Manager Rene Marlon Panti, the survey is designed to generate publicly available data to help researchers and policymakers better understand long-term socioeconomic development and evaluate poverty-reduction programs.
“It enables us to understand how livelihoods evolve, how people respond to shocks, and how interventions influence outcomes over time,” Panti said.