Ilonggos spend more on things rather than food

By Maricar M. Calubiran

Inspite of the economic crisis, Ilonggos still prefer to spend money in durable furnishings and recreation rather than food and other basic needs.

In a summary report rendered by Winston Padojinog of University of Asia and the Pacific on the impact of a household income contraction on Western Visayas and Iloilo consumption behavior, Iloilo consumers spent –0.58% of their income in durable furnishings and –0.41 % on recreation. Only –0.07 % is spent for food.

For the entire region, consumers spent –0.44% on furnishings, -0.26% on recreation and –0.08% for food.

In his report, Padojinog said Iloilo consumers spent –0.08% of their household income for tobacco. The expenditure is much bigger than food. Of the Iloilo's household income, -0.24% also goes to house maintenance and repair.

Education fees only ranked fourth in the priority list of consumers. It is –0.23% and only the same percentage of household income is spent on special family occasion. It appears Iloilo consumers spending attitude for education fees and holding of special family occasion is the same.

Ilonggos only spent –0.22% of their household income on medical care, a necessity in ones life. It only ranked fifth in the list of concern of consumers. Expenses follow it on non-durable things, transport and communication and gifts and contribution, which is –0.20%.

Personal care and effects followed next with –0.14%; clothing and footwear –0.13% and fuel, light and water with –0.08% Light and water are basic needs but it was not placed in the priority list of consumers.

Padojinog explained that not all people will feel the “clinch of the crisis” because families relying on overseas remittances are a growing segment of the household population. In Iloilo City, 8.89% are dependents of overseas foreign workers (OFW).