FOOD SCARCITY AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONGST RESIDENTS OF

BRGY. TALOLORA TANAUAN, LEYTE

A Quantitative Research Presented to

Ms. Carmix C. Bueno

Faculty of Senior High School Department

Kiling National High School

Tanauan, Leyte

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for

Applied Economics

By:

FRANCIS MARIE A. LAGARTO

APRIL 2024
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Food is any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that

plants absorb to maintain life and growth. Consuming food is essential for human

survival and well-being. Moreover, according to National Geographic System, food is

one of the necessities of life. Food contains nutrients substances essential for the

growth, repair, and maintenance of body tissues and for the regulation of vital

processes. Nutrients provide the energy our bodies need to function. Consuming an

adequate amount of food daily leads to a more prosperous life, fueling productivity

and success. Additionally, food not only provides nutritional benefits but also has a

significant positive impact on well-being. This impact is not limited to what is

consumed but also extends to how it is consumed and the social factors surrounding

the act of eating (Metab, 2019).

One of the major sources of food is the agricultural aspect of every nation. A

study by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has shown that the

agricultural industry's growth is at least twice as impactful in reducing poverty

compared to other sectors. Poverty often leads to food insecurity, hindering a

country's ability to develop its agricultural markets and overall economy. Access to

quality, nutritious food is fundamental to human existence. Secure access to food

can produce wide-ranging positive impacts, including Economic growth and job

creation, Poverty reduction, Trade opportunities, Increased global security and

stability, Improved health and healthcare.

 Food security encompasses the ability to obtain safe and healthy food

options. It is a multifaceted idea that considers various aspects of the food system,

such as production, processing, distribution, and consumption. Food security

encompasses all aspects of food access, including physical, economic, and social

access to food supplies. (Muscad, 2022). However, access to food has become an

increasingly pressing issue in our society today. With the rising cost of living and the

increasing demand for food, many people are struggling to obtain sufficient food to

sustain themselves and their families. This has put food sources, such as farmers

and food producers, at a significant disadvantage as they struggle to meet the

increasing demand for food while also trying to maintain their own livelihoods.

Moreover, the inability to access nourishing food has far-reaching consequences,

including malnutrition, stunted growth, and poor health outcomes. Unfortunately,

certain groups of people, such as low-income families, homeless individuals, and

those living in food deserts, are disproportionately affected by food insecurity,

making access to nutritious food even more challenging.

In fact, in the Philippines, there has been an increase in the percentage of

households who experienced food insecurity in the country before the COVID-19

pandemic, from 33.9% in 2015 to 56.0% in 2018-2019 based on the Household Food

Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). Moreover, The UN’s latest State of Food Security

and Nutrition in the World report showed there were 50.9 million people who did not

have constant access to adequate food in the Philippines in 2022. The Philippines

had the highest number of moderately or severely food-insecure in the region,

accounting for almost half of the 110.9 million total in Southeast Asia. Myanmar

ranked second in the region with 15.8 million, followed by Indonesia (13.4 million),

Vietnam (8.7 million), and Cambodia (8.5 million). However, the prevalence of
moderate or severe food security in the total population stood at 44.7% in the

Philippines, the second highest in the region after Cambodia (51.1%). It was also

much higher than the 16.4% average in Southeast Asia.

The UN report found that around 29.6% of the global population, equivalent to

2.4 billion people, did not have constant access to food, as measured by the

prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity. Of this figure, around 900 million

individuals faced severe food insecurity.

This study will be conducted in Barangay Talolora Tanauan, Leyte, a barrio

situated in the Tanauan municipality. The researchers aim to address the issue of

food scarcity and determine the community's coping mechanisms to help develop

long-term solutions.
Statement of the Problem

The purpose of this study is to find out the level of food scarcity and determine

the coping strategies amongst the residents of Brgy. Talolora Tanauan, Leyte.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions.

1. What is the profile of the residents in terms of:

1.1. Number of family members

1.2. Occupational Background

1.3. Minimum wage per day

2. What is the level of food scarcity in the community?

3. What are the coping strategies used by residents?

4. What is the relationship between food scarcity and coping strategies?