Abstract: “This study analyzed the coping strategies of poor family-4Ps’ family-head-recipients in four geographical areas in Northern Samar, Philippines Through purposive sampling, the researcher described the coping strategies of families in relation to income generation, provision of basic needs and family spending. The power patterns among poor families were also examined. It also discussed the coping mechanisms of poor families in terms of income generation, provision of basic needs and family spending. Among the parents’ emergent role on income generation, giving of the whole income for the family was frequently practiced while accepting immediate paid labor and leaving the major source of income was least or occasionally practiced. On the provision of basic needs the frequently performed role was the daily preparation of food by the parents and the least frequently practiced was the provision of regular budget for food. On family spending, the frequently performed role was that the parents”

Keywords: Family role, coping strategies, poor families