May 2026
When Rain Falls, Work Slows: Rainfall Variability and Working Hours in the Philippine Labor Market
This study examines the impact of rainfall variability on weekly hours worked among Filipino workers, utilizing nationally representative Labor Force Survey (LFS) data merged with regional rainfall records from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). While existing research has primarily focused on weather shocks and their effects on agricultural output, income, and employment status, less attention has been directed toward short-term adjustments in actual working hours. By analyzing weekly hours worked, this work provides a more detailed assessment of how climate variability influences labor supply behavior.