Factors Affecting Migration and its Perceived Impact on Selected Rural Barangays of Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines
Abstract
This study explored migration to rural areas in Valencia City, Bukidnon with the objective of determining migrant characteristics, factors influencing migration, and perceived impact of migration on the destination communities. Survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) were used to collect data from migrants in the barangays of Barobo, Lourdes, Pinatilan, and Tugaya. The survey showed that 68% of the respondents migrated from areas within the province, which provided them with a relatively easy access to their hometowns and families therein. They were earning an average income of PhP 3,358 per month in their hometown and PhP 3,606 in their destination or current location. Family, safety, location, job opportunity, marriage, and lifestyle were found to be the most influential pull factors. On the other hand, lifestyle, family, marriage, and job opportunity were identified as the most influential push factors. As a whole, the pull factors were found to be more influential than the push factors. The FGDs and KIIs with residents and barangay officials revealed that migration had a positive perceived social and economic impacts on the rural barangays, foremost is the increase in the barangay’s internal revenue allotment. Other positive effects were the availability of agricultural labor, utilization of barangay social services, and increased number of entrepreneurial activities brought about by migrants. Community development in the area can encourage migration through better infrastructure, housing and business development while mitigating problems brought by migration.
