The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) cleared the conduct of the Agricultural Wage Rate Survey (AWRS) on 16 May 2019.

The AWRS is conducted to generate estimates of average wage rates of workers in agriculture such as cost of farm labor or daily wage rates of palay, corn, coconut and sugarcane farm workers in the country. Specifically, it also aims to:

• determine the national and regional averages and variations on wage rates;
• generate gender-based data for wage rates; and
• determine the extent of women's participation in agricultural production activities.

Major data items that will be collected from the survey include wages (by farm activity, sex, type of labor and basis of payment) and farm activities.

A total of 2,305 and 3,280 households will be covered by the July 2019 and January 2020 survey rounds, respectively. The estimated cost of the survey is PHP 6.6 million, which will be used to cover printing services, maintenance and other operating expenses.

Key results of the 2017 AWRS are as follows:

• The nominal wage rate of agricultural workers averaged Php280.37 per day.
• The average wage rate of male farm workers was Php284.72 per day and it was PHP 28.92 higher than what was paid to female farm workers at PHP 255.80 per day.
• Across regions, daily nominal wage rates ranged from Php236.97 in Central Visayas to PHP 356.71 in Central Luzon.
• Palay farm workers got the highest nominal wage rate (Php303.98 per day) among farm workers, followed by coconut farm workers (Php271.72 per day), sugarcane farm workers (Php253.69 per day) and corn farm workers (Php246.05 per day).

The AWRS was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No.10625 to:                                                

• ensure sound design for data collection;
• minimize the burden placed upon respondents;
• effect economy in statistical data collection;
• eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts; and
• achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the public is enjoined to support the said statistical activity.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers
(02) 376-1928 and (02) 376-1931, and email address: ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph or ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

JOSIE B. PEREZ
Assistant Secretary
Officer-in-Charge

See more at the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS) landing page.