REALITY STREET FOOD VENDORS LIVES

A Thesis
Presented to the Faculty of
Famy Integrated National High School
Famy, Laguna

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Technical Vocational Livelihood
Home Economics

Submitted By:
JAMAICA ALVAREZ
AJ CONCEPCION
SAMANTHA CUANICO
JELO DURANTE CUBALLES
MARK JULIUS LIMOS
MARIFE MULLON
HEIZEL B. SABIDURIA
MICHELLE ALVAREZ TAGUIAM
ROSE ANN TOLID
MARK JELLO TORINA

Submitted to:
Manuel de Ramos Jr.
 2025

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter includes the introduction, background of the study, theoretical framework,

statement of the problem, hypothesis, scope and limitation, Significance of the study and the

definition of terms used.

Introduction

Finding the money to improve their business's competitiveness in the market was the

street food vendors' main challenge. It was anticipated that they would have to traverse rougher

terrain in order to carry on with their work. Regarding food preparation, there are a number of

concerns regarding cleanliness and hygienic conditions. Customers frequently inquire about the

tools used in the cooking and serving process, raising concerns about the safety of the food they

serve. Street food marketing has grown to be a serious public health concern that affects

everyone, according to Sharmila Rane (2015).

This is frequently due to the prevalence of food-borne illnesses and the growth of shady

food vendors, as well as the UN agency's inadequate comprehension of the basic food safety

issues. The primary sources of microorganism contamination include raw materials, improper

handling of hard-boiled foods in terms of temperature and time, the location of utensils for state

changes and serving, and, consequently, the personal hygiene of vendors. People who are

involved in this kind of business may have a difficult time since they may be wondering what
would happen if they had lost in the past. (Niel Patel, 2016) Winning brings enjoyment, losing

brings wisdom. This is a quote from Niel, who inspires entrepreneurs who are losing money.

Some of the business vendors we frequently see in Famy, Laguna have the same problem

of maintaining their operations in the industry, which is that they lose their money and are forced

to shut down. Street food vendors may experience financial losses as a result of the computation

with the street food vendors on the other side. As stated by Dr. V. et al. (2018), the road sellers

are always in rivalry with various street vendors due to changes in market prices, unstable and

irregular work schedule. Usually, their earnings are whittled down. therefore their sales are not

constant.

Background of the Study

This study aims to understand the day-to-day lives of street food vendors. It also

demonstrates how people deal with losses, get through uncomfortable times, knowing since

when they started working and increase the scarcity of life through the street food industry. For

example, the readers of this study will learn how to apply those suggestions as they quickly

expand their business in the future. The primary goal of this study is to help entrepreneurs who

are hesitant to start a business by providing them with motivation that could help them become

successful entrepreneurs. It also encourages them to pursue a career in street food eventually.

As they work toward their goals in an auspicious way, this serves as a guidance as well.

Finally, this study is a reliable resource for students who are quick to start their own firm.

Additionally, it helps them make their business more profitable, but most importantly, it helps

pupils overcome obstacles.

Figure 1. Street Vendors Lives

Numerous social and economic ideas can be included into a theoretical framework to

better explain the lives of street sellers. A few important frameworks that could be used are as

follows:

 Loans

 Low-income consumption

 Poverty

 Unemployment
  Urban Culture

 Lack of Education

In the issue with loans, poverty, unemployment, low-income consumption, urban culture

and lack of education, street sellers' businesses facing a lot of challenges. They also have lack

oof discipline, hygienic practices, and manliness. Because they operate their business using

either a food cart or a motor cart, their location is also moveable. They are unable to remain

stationary. Due to their mobility, they occasionally park or remain in places that may disrupt

traffic. In addition to that issue, street merchants regrettably lack funding. Street vendors are

unable to adequately grow since they are unable to produce the bare minimum of goods required

by daily demand. Their supply and demand must be balanced. The costs of getting ready for the

next day take up a significant amount of their daily income.

Banks must identify an alternative if the borrower's assessment yields a result that is less

than 100%. The 5Ps—personality, purpose, perspective, payment, and party—are used by banks

at that point. The 3R (Repayment, Repayment, and Risk-Bearing Ability) is the last tool banks

will employ if the 5P doesn't produce the desired outcome (Ngo et al., 2023). One significant

source of corporate development is the bank. A bank serves as more than just a financial

organization that lends money to vendors or microenterprises for investment or venture capital

(Hariyatno et al., 2020).

Vendors must, in a way, carry on with their lives. During the epidemic, some people have

looked for new employment, while others have decided to follow the traditional yet popular

trend of working in the unorganized sector. According to Women in Informal Employment:

Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), a substantial percentage of urban informal employment

falls into four occupational groups: garbage pickers, home-based workers, street sellers, and
domestic workers. Even before the informal sector gained widespread recognition, one of these

four groups—street sellers, or Pedagang Kaki Lima (PKL) in Indonesia—was extremely well-

liked (Hariyani, 2021).

Also, the theoretical framework in figure 1 is a widely used approach to analyze the lives

of street vendors. This framework examines the various assets, strategies, and outcomes that

shape the livelihood of individuals and households .

Street vendors is often an important livelihood strategy for rural-urban migrants and the

urban poor, providing them with opportunities to earn a living in the informal sector . The

framework is often combined with other theoretical perspectives, such as migration theories and

the concept of everyday politics, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of street

vendor livelihoods .

Overall, the theoretical framework for understanding street vendor lives draws on a range

of perspectives, including the livelihoods, migration theories, and the concept of everyday

struggles, to capture the multifaceted and dynamic nature of their livelihood strategies and

experiences.

Statement of the Problem

Given their working hours and manner of conveyance, it is assumed that street vendors

endure extremely challenging lives with little time for leisure. for relaxation and rest, which has

a negative impact on their health. They are being impacted by pollution in numerous ways.

Police officers or our local officials may occasionally harass them while they are selling their

wares. Since their occupation is unlawful, uncertainty and insecurity are the main issues facing
vendors. Having stated that, neither the government nor non-governmental organizations nor

labor unions have any labor laws that protect merchants.

Because of their poor income, irregular employment, and fluctuating sales, they are

frequently insecure. Their low earnings and income fluctuations prevent them from receiving

easy financial aid from the bank. The demand for market facilities like water toilets, storage or

shade, trash disposal, cleanliness, and workplace security is heartbreaking.

Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors

of street vendors who live on the streets.

Scope and Delimitation

The scope of the study is to observe and explore the lived experiences of street and

sidewalk vendors within Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna, regarding their adaptations to the

implemented rules and protocols by the local government of the city of Famy and how they

accommodate their customers in these areas. This study will conduct an interview concerning ten

(10) street vendors in Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna’s state of life who engage with area

instability and poverty. This study will investigate how these street vendors cope with the area

and manage to sell their products and accommodate their customers in these specific areas while

facing the risks, struggles and consequences within the area.

The study involved only street or sidewalk vendors in Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna

and how they are living currently experiencing struggles and poverty would be the subjects and
respondents of this research. Vendors who do not fall under the said category are not included,

like vendors who have their own or rent areas or stalls, and vendors outside Barangay Tunhac 2,

Famy, Laguna. The discoveries and observations may not apply to some of the municipalities

and cities nationwide. This study will be conducted in 2024-2025 of the academic year.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study on the life of street vendors is usually to investigate and

comprehend many facets of their means of subsistence, difficulties they face, and the effects they

have on society. This may entail:

1. Analyzing the ways in which street sellers affect social dynamics, urban environments,

and local cultures. This could entail examining their function in urban food culture or in

supplying accessible products to diverse people.

2. Identifying the problems street vendors confront, such as legal constraints, lack of

access to official financial services, insecure working circumstances, and societal stigma.

3. Being aware of the ways in which street vending benefits the neighborhood's economy

and the sellers themselves.

4. investigating the effects of street vending on the personal life, family relationships,

financial security, and general well-being of vendors.

how safety regulations—or the absence of them—affect their operations.

Significance of the Study

Examining the real-life experiences of street vendors in unstable areas is the main goal of

this study. wherein the researchers were able to observe how the street vendors managed to

survive in an unstable environment and gain knowledge regarding their viewpoints. The

following will gain from the study's findings:

Customers of street vending who are local. Customers desire meals and items that are both

accessible and reasonably priced because they are attempting to be frugal with their money.

Nonetheless, this study will help local customers understand some of the challenges that street

vendors face. Understanding their predicament—where it is difficult to sell their goods without a

permanent location—will be made easier with this.

The results of the study will raise public awareness of the hidden struggles that street

vendors endure as they deal with the unpredictability of their community while passing up

chances to earn more money and live better lives. This study may also help reduce the trash that

some street vendors and patrons leave behind. For this and other reasons, local authorities forbid

them from selling their wares on the street.

faced by the struggling street sellers in their community. This would be a way to act and a

procedure to address the issue. Furthermore, this study will raise their awareness and make them

reevaluate the existence of street and sidewalk vendors and their need for a more sustainable and

structured method of continuing to bargain.

Since they don't have a fixed location to sell their wares, the sidewalk vendors are

burdened with having to set up and move about. For people who cannot afford to buy or rent a

property, having a good, stable location may assist street vendors attract more clients and

increase their profit margins, allowing them to live better lives. In addition to supporting their

circumstances, lived experiences, and everyday problems about regional instability, this research

study would assist them in voicing their concerns and making an appeal.

The researchers would also gain from this as the entire process of looking at this case will

provide them with the solution they need. Furthermore, this study will help us understand the

lived experiences of these Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna sellers when they face this type of

challenge.

The study's findings will increase public awareness of the unsung hardships faced by

street sellers who must cope with the unpredictability of their neighborhood while missing out on

opportunities for improved income and living standards. The rubbish that some street vendors

and customers leave behind may also be lessened with the help of this study. Local authorities

prohibit them from selling their goods on the street for this reason, among others.
 Lastly, new scholars may use the concepts offered as a starting point. enabling in-depth

research on this topic in the future. As they utilize this publication as a reputable reference for

their future research, future researchers will find this study to be dependable and helpful. Future

scholars will be guided by the findings of this study. Since the goal of this study is to expose

people's eyes to the realities of what street vendors are going through, in a sense, it will provide

them with some ideas for how to examine and understand what they're looking for. Additionally,

this will offer kids a general idea of what it's like to live among street merchants, who have

struggled in their neighborhood.

Research Question

Name: __________________________________ Date: __________________________

Age: ___________________________ (Optional) Sex: __________________ (Optional)

Exploring the challenges faced by street vendors through a comprehensive survey analysis.

1. How long have you been working as a street vendor?

2. What are the biggest challenges you face as a street vendor? (Select all that apply)
__ Harassment
__ Access to markets
__ Competition
 __ Violence
__ Lack of support

3. Have you ever faced any legal penalties for your street vending activities?
__ Yes
__ No

4. What changes do you think could improve the working conditions for street vendors?
____________________________________________________________________

5. Do you feel safe while working as a street vendor?

6. Is you everyday earning enough to sustain your everyday expenses?

7. Do you have access to resources and support for your street vending business?
__ Yes
__ No

8. Do you believe there should be more legal protection for street vendors?
__ Yes
__ No
__ Not sure

9. What time of day do you typically work as a street vendor? (Select all that apply)
__ Morning
__ Afternoon
__ Evening
__ Midnight

10. What motivates you to continue working as a street vendor despite the challenges?
__________________________________________________________________

11. Are there any specific areas where you feel more support is needed for women street
vendors?
__ Access to loans
__ Training opportunities
__ Legal representation
 __ Healthcare services
__ Other

12. Have you ever experienced discrimination or stigma due to being a women street vendor?
(Select all that apply)
__ Gender
__ Economic Status
__ Ethnicity
__ Age

13. Do you believe the government should provide more resources for women street
vendors?
__ Yes
__ No
__ Not sure

14. What are your thoughts on the current regulations and policies related to street vending in
your area?
________________________________________________________________________

15. What additional support would help you improve your street vending business? (Select
all that apply)
__ Training
__ Financial Assistance
__ Marketing Assistance
__ Legal Advice
16. Have you ever received any training or support from you Barangay specifically for street
vendors?
__ Yes
__ No

17. How do you balance your work as a street vendor with your personal/family
responsibilities?
_______________________________________________________________________

18. Do you believe the public perception of street vendors needs to change to recognize their
contributions to the community?
__ Yes
__ No
 19. Should there be designated areas for street vendors to operate in Tunhac 2, Famy,
Laguna?
__ Yes
__ No

20. Share a memorable experience you have had with a street vendor.

_______________________________________________________________________

Definition of Terms

Vendor - is a party in the supply chain that makes goods and services available to companies or

consumers.

(https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/vendor.asp)
Market - means by which the exchange of goods and services takes place as a result of buyers

and sellers being in contact with one another, either directly or through mediating agents or

institutions.

(https://www.britannica.com/money/market)

Customer - is an individual or business that purchases another company's goods or services.

(https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/customer.asp)

Loan - refers to a type of credit vehicle in which a sum of money is lent to another party in

exchange for future repayment of the value or principal amount.

(https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/loan.asp)

Urban Culture - refers to the meanings, ways of life, and social practices associated with the

modern city. ( https://sk.sagepub.com/ency/edvol/urbanstudies/chpt/urban-culture)

Education - is a discipline that is concerned with methods of teaching and learning in schools or

school-like environments as opposed to various non-formal and informal means of socialization.

(https://www.britannica.com/topic/education)

Unemployment - refers to a situation where a person actively searches for employment but is

unable to find work. Unemployment is considered to be a key measure of the health of the

economy. (https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/unemployment.asp)

Poverty - is the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or

material possessions. Poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to satisfy their basic

needs. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/poverty)
Low income - typically referring to a household having few revenues within a given period.

(https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_1709)

Sales - refers to exchanging a product, commodity, service or delivery for money.

(https://www.indeed.com/recruitment/c/info/definition-of-sales)

CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Street vendors' socioeconomic status as a determinant in their informal sector
 Since street vendors don't have to worry about paying rent or other expenses related to

the location where they are selling their goods, it's the most practical choice for new or

struggling vendors. Increased street or sidewalk vendors, particularly in a certain area, indicate

that the area is more exposed to potential customers. (Domingo, 2015) Here, tiangge, or bazaars,

are set up where vendors set up their own booths, stores, or park their food carts on bicycles to

offer their wares to consumers. Additionally, the rise in vendors leads to job displacement and

unemployment, which may be caused by a lack of employment possibilities, particularly for low-

class families that were unable to obtain a degree, which is a prerequisite for applying for jobs.

These sellers belong to the so-called informal sector, which has issues with social safety, working

conditions, and income stability—all of which are crucial components of a good job, according

to Domingo's 2015) research and discussion. However, by providing people with sustainable

livelihoods that the industry would not otherwise be able to provide, this sector has addressed the

needs of the impoverished. Despite the growing importance of the informal sector and the rise in

the number of sellers in this type of economy, the government has done very little to provide the

necessary assistance and solutions for those in this sector. (Domingo’s, 2015)

The susceptibility of street vendors to unforeseen disasters

Street vendors are part of the unorganized commercial sector, which functions outside of

the law. Since they have little or no access to social protection, they are thought to be more

vulnerable to the detrimental effects of disasters or upheavals like typhoons. The industry was

found to be just moderately vulnerable overall. One of the sector's most valuable advantages is

having close relationships with their clients and social bonds that are demonstrated via frequent

interactions (Hidalgo et al., 2022). When unexpected disasters strike, streets and sidewalks are no

different. As a result, vendors who live in these areas are vulnerable to the risks and
repercussions of hazardous events, such as flooding, typhoons, heavy rains, etc., because they

lack the resources to support and protect themselves from these events. According to their

research, the majority of street vendors have yet to make the shift from survivalist to growth-

oriented enterprises, possibly because of their high sensitivity and susceptibility to climate

threats.

Topological cognition and limitation in street vendors

According to research by Dovey et al. (2022), informal street vendors are defined by their

presence in urban public places, but their spatialities are usually restricted to a generic setting.

The findings show how trade intensities are unevenly distributed and adapted to pedestrian

flows, urban morphologies, control systems, redundant spatial niches, and competing claims to

public space. As a result, there is prejudice and injustice in this workplace, which exacerbates the

everyday hardships already faced by street and sidewalk vendors. As a result, their research

deepened and broadened our knowledge of how to create a framework that supports efficient and

sustainable urban planning while ensuring that the urban poor have a just and equitable share of

rights and freedoms. (Dovey, 2022)

Street vending as an alternate method of being classified as employed

According to Roever & Skinner (2016), street trading is one of the most common types of

self-employment; however, few towns are able to balance the need to regulate public space with

the need to meet people's needs. However, street sellers and market dealers operate in precarious

environments. However, this wouldn't deter them from picking street vending as a way to

support their family. Street sellers now make up a larger percentage of the workforce since

commerce has grown in importance as an economic activity. In places where groups might
establish marketplaces or channels for negotiating with local authorities, there is a chance for

better and more appropriate regulation of street hawking as well as increased access for street

vendors to social programs. Both parties may gain by the provision of the essentials that will

enable the street vendors to have a stable source of income if the local government can change

their minds and concentrate on finding a solution rather than expelling them. (Roever & Skinner,

2016)
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

A phenomenological research design was employed under the qualitative approach to

examine and thoroughly investigate the experiences of street and sidewalk sellers dealing with

local instability. One objective of qualitative research is to gain knowledge of the experience and

meaning components of people's lives and social surroundings, according to Fossey et al. (2017).

A quality qualitative study must clarify the personal perspectives, activities, and

sociocultural aspects of the participants. Additionally, iterative qualitative research can better

understand the scientific community's understanding of the phenomenon under study by

identifying fresh, significant differences that arise from getting closer to the phenomenon under

investigation (Aspers & Corte, 2019). However, Wilson (2015) noted that the paradigm of

phenomenological investigation has deep philosophical foundations, which can occasionally be

challenging for novice researchers. However, comprehending these conceptual foundations

might enhance and support the research design.

The researchers in this study employed a qualitative research approach to examine the

lived experiences of street and sidewalk vendors dealing with local instability. Open-ended and

close-ended questions were used in this study's in-person interviews with street and sidewalk
sellers in order to acquire data that would support and create a reasonable conclusion based on

the respondents' answers.

The researchers thoroughly examined the information and data after collecting the

responses and data from the conducted interviews. They also talked about the phenomenon

pertaining to the vendors' experience dealing with region instability. The researchers examined

the lived experiences of street and sidewalk sellers dealing with local instability in order to

comprehend the varying responses of the participants, which made this research design perfect

for this kind of study.

Population and Sampling

The researchers chose Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna because, in poor countries like

the Philippines, where cities are extremely crowded and urbanized, street vending is a common

daily event. This practice is evident in Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna. Street and sidewalk

vendors are rampant and can be seen anywhere in the vicinity of Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy,

Laguna. Most of the community of street and sidewalk vendors chose Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy,

Laguna as their area of trading and business since this is where locals and citizens' first choice to

shop, especially Famy is the center of everyplace. Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna is a

popular location for those who want to travel and pay less, in part because they offer limited

goods at low costs.

Flea markets keep popping on account of shifting demographics and shifting economic

situations, and the number of merchants in this sector is expanding as a result of eviction and

joblessness (Domingo, 2012). Due to the increasing population of street and sidewalk vendors,

the researchers anticipated that the variety of street and sidewalk vendors would qualify as their
respondents since Famy, Laguna is known for it's river, or tourist destination, where vendors do

not have a stable or permanent area of trading. This study will conduct an interview concerning

ten (10) street vendors in Barangay Tunhac 2, Famy, Laguna. Also, they selected this place for

their study of street and sidewalk vendors who are struggling with area instability.

Instrument of the Study

To obtain a comprehensive response to the research question, novice researchers must

ensure that their interview questions are both relevant and able to support their efforts. The

researcher and the interview questions are the instruments used when collecting data through

qualitative interviews. The quality of the interview questions and the researcher's skill determine

the usefulness of the data gathered in a qualitative interview. It provides guidelines for

developing interview guides that provide structure to the interview process, make the

interviewing process transparent to IRBs and human subjects review bodies, and preserve

interview process flexibility (Roberts, 2020). Semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were

conducted by the researchers using an interview questionnaire they developed and gave to each

respondent equally. Because a semi-structured interview offered an open-ended question set and

a flexible topic guide, it enabled the researchers to gather data while also exploring the

respondents' views, attitudes, and experiences about the lack of regional instability.

Procedure and Time Frame

For social research to be conducted, data collection is necessary. When done correctly, data

collection improves a sociological research study's accuracy (Rimando et al., 2015). The
researchers decided to complete a study regarding the life of street vendors because that is the

most common side jobs of most people in Famy, Laguna. In order to support and validate the

accuracy and effectiveness of the research study that the researchers had proposed and their

research adviser had approved, the researchers' data collection procedure involved compiling the

available information, data, and responses from the eligible respondents. The approach began

with the selection of a specific topic, approved by their research consultant, that focused on the

experiences of street and sidewalk merchants dealing with local instability.

Following that, they began searching for ten (10) target respondents within a week who

met the requirements for study participants. Following the identification of their eligible

participants, the researchers obtained their informed permission, which was authorized by their

study advisor. Following the respondents' consent, the researchers gave them a screening tool

with the requirements to make sure they were eligible to participate in the study.

The researchers used the following criteria to qualify their selected respondents for their

study: the vendors must be street and sidewalk vendors in Famy, Laguna; they must be cart

vendors; they must be peddlers, who move from place to place selling small goods; they must be

footpath vendors, who sell goods on the ground; they must have no fixed location; they must sell

food, etc. The recorded interview began appropriately with open-ended and closed-ended

questions in a face-to-face situation after the researchers used the screening tool to confirm the

respondents' eligibility.

The researchers thanked the street and sidewalk vendors for their cooperation and time

when the interviews came to a conclusion. As a result, the researchers gathered and examined the

information and data required for data analysis.

People from the middle to lower classes typically work as street vendors because they

view life as a bad thing and work as a means of subsistence; if they don't work, they won't be

able to survive. Work is essential to human existence, and as long as a person is alive, they must

work. The street vendors are aware of the limitations placed on them and their inability to obtain

occupations that demand a lot of skills. As a result, street vendors are forced to decide how to

trade or offer their services in public areas. Some of them sell food (rice) and beverages, sell

farm and carpentry tools, sell household appliances, start a repair business, trade gasoline, and

make furniture. The family's requirements are the only reason for doing those things. The street

merchants finally "survive" because they continue to operate. The only choice is to work as street

sellers for low-level community organizations. It is the most practical means of maintaining life.

On the one hand, the street vendors adopted the first survival tactic, which is to provide for their

basic necessities in order to survive. Street merchants utilize public areas like sidewalks and the

sides of roadways because Initially, there are restrictions that make it Unable to occupy spaces

that need to be the need to pay, the fact that sidewalks and roadways are prime locations for the

sale of goods, and, finally, the government's disregard for the welfare and needs of street

vendors. (Wiley Periodicals, Inc, 2023)