Selected Metro Manila pavement families: Their major problems and survival strategies

This study aimed to know the survival difficulties and strategies of pavement families. In relation to this, it also gathered data about their sociodemographic characteristics and aspirations together with the perceived means and constraints. The method that was used for gathering of data was in-depth interview and observation. There were five families that were observed, the respondents chosen were the household heads but it is a criterion that a certain family should have children. There were 10 respondents, husband and wife for each family. The questions included were about sociodemographic characteristics, migration, survival difficulties and strategies and aspirations. The result of the interview gave the study very interesting reports. The results obtained were they have their survival difficulties such as lack of structured house, inadequacy of basic services, low income jobs and problems in social relationships. Despite these difficulties, they still managed to cope with it. Survival strategies include household heads entering into physically draining but low income jobs so as their sidelines, alternative patterns of behavior in gathering basic services as well as their basic needs and relying on friends, neighbors, relatives to satisfy their economic and social needs