GAMEFOWL RAISERS IN MAASIM, SARANGANI PROVINCE: A SURVEY ON COPING MECHANISMS DURING THE PANDEMIC

The study was conducted on February 1, 2022 to March 2, 2022 to determine gamefowl raisers' coping mechanisms during pandemic in selected barangays in Maasim Sarangani Province. It was conducted by interviewing gamefowl raisers in Maasim using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze all data taken during the interview. All variables gathered were evaluated using statistical tools such as frequency counting, simple arithmetic mean (averaging) and percentaging.
Most (75%) of the raisers practice to select birds that is well fitted and appropriate for gamefowl fights. In addition. 85% of the respondents vaccinate and deworm their gamefowls to reduce the risks of any diseases. Majority (90%) of them give energy boosters to chickens. All of the respondents answered that they do not engage in online sabong because most of them answered that traditional sabong creates lower income than online.
The livelihood of most (85%) of the respondents were affected during the pandemic. Their reasons are they don't have income since it is hard to look for buyer of their gamefowls during the pandemic. Lack of financial resources is the main reason for their hardships. Results of the survey shows that 65% of the respondents have created new strategies or coping mechanisms to combat the effect of pandemic. Since there is no market for gamefowl, it leads to lack of financial resources and the difficulty of providing feeds for their gamefowl.
To address the problem, the raisers reduced their game fowl production since the market for gamefowl is unstable. In addition, the cost of feeds for birds is one of many factors increasing due to effect of pandemic. Strict border lockdown is one of on the difficulty in buying feed supply. According to the result, 60% among the respondents chose to buy feeds in bulk to help them lessen their expenses in transportation and to avoid physical exposure. While others (50%) according to them, expensive feeds during the pandemic resulted them to purchase less feeds for their gamefowl. Most (80%) of the raisers also practice safety protocols in gamefowl areas during pandemic.