EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN SOCIO-ECONOMIC DETERMINANTS AND THE FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES OF THE AETA COMMUNITY

Abstract

The Aeta people, among the earliest indigenous communities in the Philippines, continue to experience economic difficulties despite their rich traditions and close ties to natural resources. This study explores how socioeconomic characteristics—specifically age, gender, educational background, income level, and employment status—affect the financial capabilities of the Aeta population in Mabalacat City. Utilizing a descriptive–correlational approach, data were gathered from residents of Calumpang, Macapagal Village, and Marcos Village and analyzed through frequency distributions, weighted means, and Chi-square tests of independence. Findings showed that age, education, income, and employment significantly shaped financial behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and skills. While participants demonstrated positive financial attitudes and basic numeracy, shortcomings were observed in savings practices, expense monitoring, and engagement with formal financial systems. These outcomes highlight the importance of customized financial literacy initiatives, vocational training, and employment programs to improve financial well-being and promote sustainable socioeconomic progress within the Aeta community.