Authors: RENZ JOMAR MARIANO

Issue: 2021 – 2022

Abstract:

One of the public health crises the world has been experiencing is the emergence of the virus called COVID – 19 which was first found in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and become a pandemic that causes panic among nations. This corona virus had spread rapidly in many different parts of the world resulted to a health crisis recognized as the COVID 19 Pandemic as described in the reports of World Health Organization (WHO) last March 2020. Although, the virus affected individuals of all ages; adults, youngsters and people with comorbidity are the most vulnerable one. (WHO, 2020). This pandemic brought about social as well as economic impact to Customs Brokerage Industries and other business not only in the Philippines but around the world.

The study’s main objective was to identify the significant effect of COVID 19 to socio economic status of Customs brokerage, challenges and areas of improvement that can guide in mitigating the socio – economic impact of COVID 19 on Customs Brokerage Industries in Manila. The proponent of this study utilized the descriptive research method. Descriptive research method involves presentation and discussion of relevant data/information necessary in the assessment and evaluation of the socio – economic impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the Customs Brokerage Industry in Metro Manila. Using the population proportion in computing the appropriate sample size, the researcher considered the following: 5% margin of error, 95% confidence interval, population size and sample proportion. Frequency, mean, standard deviation and one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized in treating the data gathered that led to important findings.

The COVID 19 pandemic has significantly affected the economy of the country. During the height of the pandemic, temporary closure of non-essential business was implemented to stop the spread of the disease. The COVID 19 has caused a major economic blow not only to small businesses but also to large scales enterprises. There is no significant difference between the socio economic impact and the profile of respondents such as age, business structure, number of years in operation, total number of employees and monthly income. Only the variables work from home and highest educational attainment was found to be significant. The study pointed out that the different socio – economic difficulties encountered by the respondents during the COVID 19 pandemic are public transportation prohibition, limited work force, and social distancing and health and safety protocols.

Keywords: Socio Economic Status, COVID 19 Pandemic, Work from Home