InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines – There are slightly more women than men who consume alcoholic beverages, most drinkers are in the 19-25 age range, and a fifth of the population consider themselves regular alcohol takers, according to a national survey in the dioceses by the Catholic-run Radyo Veritas.
The “Veritas Truth Survey (VTS)” covered 2,500 respondents in 85 different Archdioceses and Dioceses in 17 regions, and was done in partnership with priests and lay collaborators.
On a national scale, the survey showed 66 percent of Filipinos take alcoholic beverages, with 58.9 percent of those living in Luzon tagging themselves as consumers of liquor, compared to those in Visayas at 21.5% and those in Mindanao at 19.6%.
By region, the National Capital Region (17%), Region 4A (15%) and Region 7 (8%) were the top 3 regions with the most alcoholic beverage consumption; the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) scored the least level of consumption at 2%.
Analyzed as to Key Demographic Factors, the survey showed there are slightly more Female alcoholic beverage drinkers (52%) compared to their Male counterparts at 48%. As to age range, a majority of alcoholic beverage drinkers were within the 19-25 age range, comprising at least 25.55%. The next largest age group of drinkers is within the ages 29-35, comprising at least 14.38%.
The youngest documented drinker is 13 years old.
Frequency of intake, beverage of choice
Asked about the frequency of their alcoholic beverage consumption, 79% of respondents said they take alcoholic beverages only during special occasions; 11% drink alcohol on a weekly basis, 6% monthly and 4% daily. The survey showed almost 21% of Filipinos are regular alcoholic beverage drinkers.
Between rural and urban drinkers, there was a nearly equal distribution of alcoholic beverage consumers.
By salary range, those earning P5,000-P14,999 consume more alcoholic beverages (accounting for 41%) compared to those earning P15,000-24,999 at 26%; those earning P25,000-Above at 20%; and those earning P4,999-below, 13%.
Married respondents accounted for nearly two-thirds of those who consume alcoholic beverages at 57%, compared to single respondents at 43%.
In terms of product preference, respondents voted the top three alcoholic beverages of choice as: San Miguel beer (rank 1), Red Horse beer (rank 2) and Tanduay rhum (rank 3).
Respondents came from 85 dioceses in all 17 regions, and were chosen on the basis of stratified random sampling, with +/- 2% margin of error, under Slovin’s formula. The sampling method involves the division of a population into smaller groups known as strata (per diocese).
