TIPS ON FINGERTIPS: EXPLORING THE FINANCIAL PLIGHT

OF THE STREET FOOD VENDORS

A Research Paper

Presented to the

FACULTY OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

Maryknoll School of Lupon, Inc.

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

ANTHONY, JOHANNA BELEN

GANDARUZA, AL-KHUDREI
REBALDE, CHRISTINE JOY
SILVA, KERRENCE KURT
MEJOS, MAY BLANCA
CABRERA, GLYZEL
RULE, KREZA MAE
TOMAS, RICKY JR.
ROSETE, ALMIRA
RUNA, RALPH
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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

As the Pandemic hit the world, we were all equal in a situation that

was hard to deplete especially in financial terms. And in this venture into the

microeconomic industry, we will be going to discover the financial plight of

street vendors. Street vendor is broadly defined as a person who offers goods

for sale to the public without having a permanent built-up structure but with a

temporary static structure or mobile stalls. The street vendor comprises one of

the most marginalized sections of the urban poor. They play a very dynamic

role in the urban economy, providing necessary items, which are both durable

and cost-effective, to average income-earning households at cheap and

affordable rates. The sale of street foods also makes a sizeable contribution

to the economies of developing countries. But as the pandemic has

exacerbated the daily struggle of many vendors has already started most

street vendors cannot afford to put food on their tables after a few days of not

working because they do not have savings or any safety net to rely on.

For over years, the food industry has become great number. With the

occurrence, various businesses started to rise. One of these is the street food

trade. In the Philippines, street food is known as "pagkaing kalye" and was

become a part of the culture and life style of Filipino. Allain (2013) stated that

street food vending is an activity that employs many while selling fast, tasty

and ready-to-eat foods to people in the street. When the demands of time and

expense of food, fuel, cooking equipment, and transportation are taken into

account, street foods are bargain for customers. According to Barth (2012)
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and Allain (2013), "street foods" refer to a wide range of ready-to-eat meals

and drinks that are sold and occasionally prepared in a variety of ways in

public places, notably on the street. As per (Barth, 2012), when a customer

orders a meal to be consumed on the spot or taken away, it is produced in the

same manner as fast food. Allain (2013) asserts street food and fast food are

less costly and more tempting than home-cooked meals when compared to

restaurant meals. Fast food and street food enterprises, despite their

similarities, differ in terms of variety, culture, marketing techniques, and

ownership. All parties concerned agreed on this definition of "street food."

Globally, various researches have been conducted about Financial of

Street Vendors due to its availability to almost all countries in the world. A

study carried out from the Middle East by Erczra Tindes in the year 2020,

entitled "Vendor Perspectives on the Impact of COVID-19 on Markets in Cox’s

Bazar District: A Qualitative Study", emphasized that the financial disturbance

actuated by COVID-19 debilitates millions of jobs in Bangladesh. As a result

of the critical effect on the job of specialists, numerous individuals have

misplaced their occupations and income. Even though all merchants partaking

in this overview were those who have been able to preserve their claim

businesses, they detailed being on edge approximately the situation of

individuals around them, as their misfortune of pay specifically impacts

utilization. Additionally, Uncertainty of site allocation makes street vendors

difficult in pushing vending carts from one place to another on damaged

roads. Street vendors also face problems of lack of shelters and storage

space (Kurniawati, W. 2012). Looking at the employment status, most of them

migrated unskilled workforce engages themselves in labor in industries;

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construction, and providing different fourth-class services to urban

households, street vendors, domestic workers, and rag pickers (Widiyastuti,

D. 2013). Most of the respondents reported that they don't have as numerous

clients as some time recently. In addition, respondents detailed that social

separating measures have led to coordinate misfortune of clients due to

expanded holding up times or slower administrations, with an by and large

negative effect on their pay.

In the national context, a study conducted in the Philippines by Joanne

Neary in 2018, entitled, "Street Vendors of Manila” stated that in the

Philippines, street food is very known, because it is economical, convenient,

and a terrific way to learn about a country's culture, street food has become

an important culinary category on its own, especially when it comes to Filipino

food. The options for street food excursions in the Philippines are numerous,

however, due to health rules; most Filipino street food was closed when the

epidemic struck the entire world, including the Philippines. Despite the

importance of street sellers in metropolitan settings, qualitative research of

street vendors in metro Manila’s Caloocan district revealed that they faced a

number of difficulties that are intertwined (Recio and Gomez, 2013). Vendors

were prohibited from selling on the streets after the COVID-19 national

lockdown was imposed, according to Flora Assido-Santos, Secretary-General

of the Metro Manila Vendors Association (2018), a group of street vendors

spread across a dozen municipalities, especially to street vendors people, to

avoid losing their main source of income. Especially in Manila is were given

the opportunity to see some of the city to further our understanding of some

issues.
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In the Local context, A Study by Jessa Baybay in 2018 entitled “Street

Food Vendors: Marketing Practices in Roxas Avenue, Davao City” assert that

street food micro-industries are vital for the economic planning and

development of many towns. But it seems that the contribution of street food

vendors to the economies of developing countries has been vastly

underestimated and neglected (Winarno and Allain; 2013). According to

Weigo (2015), economic downturns have a big impact on vendors’ earnings.

In 2015, an Inclusive Cities research project found many street food vendors

reported a drop in consumer demand and an increase in competition as the

newly unemployed turned to vend for income. In Davao City, there was an

ordinance on street food was already passed by the committee on health. The

first idea was to ban street food vendors but the city government realized that

it is a part of our culture as Filipinos. If the ordinance is approved, there will be

a training centre funded by the government for street vendors (Labrador;

2015).

A review of street trading research (Wontanda 2014) shows that more

research is needed on several viewpoints on street trading. And from the

paper by Roever et al. (2016) entitled "Street Vendor and the Cities"

discussed street vendors and market traders in their central challenge for the

New Urban Agenda is to position quality employment alongside quality habitat

as pillars on which sustainable urbanization may take place. (Roever, 2016)

states that in many parts of the world, informal employment accounts for more

than half of total employment. However, their study focuses on the livelihood

impacts of generalized workplace insecurity, harassment, and confiscation of

merchandise on street vendors' earnings, assets, and time. That is why we

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look into the documents that host evictions and relocations but focus less on

the day-to-day struggles of these workers to make a living within policy

environments that regulate street trade in exclusionary or contradictory ways

In the special issue that may take a multidisciplinary look at how food

vending has been portrayed and practiced across time and across cultures.

They look into the relationship between micro-enterprise and urban liveliness,

and they show how urbanization processes shape both the social lives of

street vendors and how they can be shaped by vendors themselves. They

focus on street food and tell the stories of those who make, sell, regulate, and

eat it; they look into the relationship between micro-enterprise and urban

liveliness; and they show how urbanization processes shape both the social

lives of street vendors and how vendors can shape them. Despite the fact that

street vendors are vanishing in certain areas of the world, particularly in

countries that have ascended to the top of the global capitalist pyramid, they

remain a vital component of the city's infrastructure.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is to impart knowledge to society, aspects of

the trade which explores first what foods people eat on the street and where

the foods are produced and prepared, (Platania, 2013). In order to seek

justification for the choice of street food vendors as a tool to promote and

enhance the area's identity.

Specifically, this research aims to achieve the given objectives:

● To explore the lived experiences of street food vendors towards their

finances. Street food vendors as a means of promotion and distribution of

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fresh produce, making a system with small reality food in the area, in this way

it encourages sustainability.

● To investigate the coping mechanisms of the study from street food

vendors to sustain their livelihoods. The proposed an in-depth understanding

of street food vendors' operational environment.

● To delve into the insights of both street food vendors and clients who

would buy the commodities concerning variations in demand and customer

reduction.

Significance of the Study

The study is attempted to address the challenges and opportunities of

one of the municipalities in the province of Davao Oriental. The study took into

account the perspectives of street vendors, banks, microfinance institutions,

and other stakeholders (Skinner; 2016). The results of the study will provide a

better understanding and awareness to policymakers, to design an effective

and efficient strategy for the improvement of the livelihood of street food

vendors and the development of street vending (Treweek et. al, 2012). Its goal

was to highlight some of the intentions that street vendors confront in their

daily operations and to look into how financial institutions, particularly those in

the banking industry, may include street vendors in their credit programs.

The study will also serve as a stepping-stone and make a modest

contribution to those who are interested to research street vending. In

addition, the finding of the study will provide information to make

decision-makers responsible bodies aware of the challenges and prospects of

street vending in the city and alleviate or minimize the challenges. Moreover, it
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will help planners and government bodies as a source of information. In

addition, this study would also be the key finding to provide the

decision-makers and accountable bodies to be informed about street vending

difficulties and opportunities in the city, as well as ways to mitigate or alleviate

those challenges. It will also be beneficial to planners as well. The primary

goal of this proposed study is to comprehend the problem of financial

accessibility among city street merchants. The research was supposed to be

based on both primary and secondary data sources.

The results of the study will be of great benefit to the following:

Local Government Units. The Local Government Units (LGUs) may

find that sanitation management is necessary on making developments and

improvements to the implementation of sanitation and food safety in their

public markets and their surrounding areas.

Market Administrator. The Market Administrators may use this study

to review on solving problems in sanitation and improve their sanitation

throughout the market. This market administrators may review the existing

rules and regulations regarding to the implementation of sanitation in the

market place.

Community. The study’s findings will provide everyone with a better

understanding and more information about the experiences and struggles of

unlicensed street vendors.

Stall Owners. The Stall owners may consider these findings in study to

have a deeper understanding that sanitation management is a necessary

increasing a business’s specially in a public market. This study will further

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benefit the owners in making in come and strengthening their relationships

with the customers.

Street Vendor. Will contribute significantly to the in the preparation and

handling of food products with regards to its quality and safety.

Consumers. It will also help the people know basic right to sufficient

quantities of safe and nutritious foods at affordable costs. It will also warn the

public to be watchful land cautious about the health hazards which may be

brought about by the unsanitary handling of the street foods by the vendors.

Future Researcher. The findings of this study may provide additional

theories and concepts, as well as serves as a guide for future researchers

conducting follow-up research on the financial plight of street food vendors

using concepts and variables.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

The span of this study were limited only to three (3) street food

vendors, one (1) male and two (2) females, aged fifty (50) below in one of the

municipalities in the province of Davao Oriental. All interviews would probably

conduct on the third or fourth week of the month of March for the Second

Semester of the Year 2022.

The study is limited only to participating vendors were primarily selling

any food in the street such as isaw (chicken intestines), fish ball and more

food items in one of the municipality in the province of Davao Oriental other

than that is invalid. Vendors working in shops selling non-essential items (e.g.

electronics, jewellery) were unable to be reaching for this survey. Findings

therefore primarily capture perspectives of vendors of essential items of

vendors of essential items able to remain semi-operational during this time.

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Most of the vendor's interviews are retailers, hence the study does not

equally capture the views and perceptions of wholesale traders. Furthermore,

Due to their busy days selling meals in various locations, the researcher has

limited opportunity to examine the food sellers.

Theoretical Lens

This part of the paper presents the theories that explore the

internationally rising phenomena of street food, with a focus on consumption.

The issues of food safety and regulation of street meals have received a lot of

attention in academic research. But the motivations and behaviors of

consumers who consume those items have been mostly ignored. As a result,

in order to explain street food consumption, this paper evaluates important

studies on street foods, eating out, eating environment ambience, and

hedonic eating. Second, the current study offers, based on a synthesis of

those literatures. Theoretical model of street food consumption is developed,

along with four assertions that will be empirically verified in future study. In a

nutshell, it is proposed that the atmosphere and hedonism may influence the

consumption of street food. Finally, in the conclusions section, some

theoretical and practical consequences are presented. This study will be

based on the three theories, namely the Marxist’s Theory, E. Goffman

Theory, and the Scientific Management Theory.

The Marxist’s Theory. The first theory will be anchored on Marxist

theory which will form the foundation of the research (Tehaf; 2013). Marxism

attempts to reveal the ways in which our socioeconomic system is the ultimate

source of our experience (Tyson; 2017). Removing informal merchants from

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their jobs would result in relatively little economic damage (Menyah,2019). It

has left much too much opportunity for conjecture regarding the economic

impact of street vending (Tyson; 2017). As a result, the goal of this research is

to give an in-depth analysis of the economic and social significance of street

vending to the urban population and the overall state economy (Jimu; 2016).

Rakowski (2014) identifies four approaches grouped into the structuralist and

the legalist perspective, for this group, the informal sector was a product of

the structural inequalities inherent in capitalism. (Rakowsky, 2014: 40) State

that during this period the study of the informal economy and street vending,

in particular, was appreciated in relation to some of the characteristics of the

state overly bureaucratic, for instance the state once again was never

questioned as an entity which itself could participate and engage in informal

practices.

Marxist Theory, also known as Marxism Theory, was linked to the topic

of street food vending since it claims that in capitalist societies, class conflict

arises as a result of contradictions between the oppressed proletariat, a class

of wage laborers employed to produce goods and services, and the

bourgeoisie, the ruling class that owns the means of production and extracts

its wealth through the appropriation of resources. So they are squeezed out of

the official sector, people who engage in informal enterprises have no other

choice.

E. Goffman’s Theory. The theory focuses on consumer actions, such

as whether people purchase street meals because of Filipino ingenuity or

because it is a subjective standard (Fernando; 2014). As a result, this theory

provides an opportunity to comprehend consumer behavior patterns (Jeoff;

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2016). The impression of management theory of Erwin Goffman. People are

seen as players on the everyday life scene in Goffman's (2015)

self-impression management theory, manipulating the impression of self in

public space. Individual behaviors, according to this idea, are part of a social

consciousness in which people stage themselves in social society in order to

give the impression of a given position and role. Goffman's theory is thus

applicable to this research while attempting to comprehend the stages in

which customers purchase street cuisine.

This theory is relevant to the issue since the history of civilisation plays

an important role in human consumption. For the great majority of people,

street food has been their primary source of sustenance since the birth of

civilisation. Because "street food" has a long and famous history, we want to

be clear about what we mean by it. Street food is described as something

edible that is sold and consumed on the streets. Street cuisine necessitates

the use of low-cost ingredients and simple preparation while maintaining a

certain level of hygiene. This theory also explains not just the fundamentals of

street food, but also its biggest benefits and advantages. It employs

cost-effective and time-saving preparation procedures, needs few tools, and is

simple to prepare.

Scientific Management Theory. This theory has shown that the

responses of urban planners to street vending have followed the modernism

theory. In this paper, we take a demand-side (buyer-focused) approach to

studying street vending, which has received little attention to date from the

academic community. Employing from the International data it reports the four

explanations underpinning the demand side of street vending: formal

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economy failures, social/redistributive explanations, financial gains and a multi

feature explanation

This management theory also seeks to use scientific methods to

determine the best way to perform a task or job. and from workers into tools,

processes, and documentation.

Definition of Terms

● Banking industry – The banking industry is also important to the

economysince it provides resources for transaction and investments for

individuals, families, and organizations.

● Consumer - Consumers are the ones who pay for the goods and

services produced, and they play an important part in a country's economic

structure.

● Financial vulnerability - Describes the ability to recover from sudden

financial shocks, which include sudden and unexpected loss of income and/or

a sudden and uncontrollable increase in expenditure.

● Income - In a particular period of time, income is the total of all wages,

salaries, profits, interest payments, rentals, and other types of earnings.

● Livelihood - The capabilities, assests, and activities required for

generating revenue and securing a menas of subsistence are reffered to as

livelihood.

● Micro-interprises – Microenterprise also refers to a small operation

that starts with amodest amount of money and employs a few employees. In

general, microenterprise is assiociated with the development of a country’s

economy.
 13

● Plight - The word plight refers to a difficulty. It is derived from the term

pleat, which meaning fold in English. Plight is a term used to describe a group

of people or animals who are fighting to survive or live better lives.

● Small Business - A small company or small companies as a group. A

small business is often privately owned, does not employ many people, and

has a low volume of sales. The tax changes will bring immediate benefits for

small.

● Street Food - A hawker or vendor sells ready-to-eat food or drink in a

street or other public venue, such as a market or fair, from a movable stall.

● Street Vendors - A vendor is a person who sells goods or services on

the street, but it may also apply to anyone who offer any form of goods or

services, especially specialized ones

Literature Review

This section of the paper presents the related literature from various

sources that were presented related to the concepts and principles that were

applied in several discussions in this study. Literature and studies were cited

to enable researchers to deliver better understanding for the prospective

readers.

After a thorough and in-depth search by the researchers and other sources on

the topics employed in this study, this part summarizes the associated

literature and studies in order to place this research within current knowledge.

As a result, this is a thorough investigation. Implementing Rules and

Regulations and Food Safety are discussed.

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Implementing Rules and Regulations. According to Golosino (2012),

Vendors congregating to the sidewalks were notoriously known as eyesores

and obstructions. Roever (2012) also defined sidewalk vendors which include

all those selling goods or services in public places, fixed stalls, like folding

tables or wheeled pushcarts that are removed from the streets and stored

overnight; vendors who sell from fixed locations without a stall structure; or

mobile vendors who walk or bicycle through the streets as they sell. In the

other words of Senator Santiago, quoting Mayor Pealosa, she said, "a good

city is one with great sidewalks". In the Philippines, especially in the urban

areas, sidewalks lost its essence from the perspectives of the pedestrian.

Street vendors are often accused of illegally using public spaces and of

damaging the image of the city (Lindell, 2019).

It was supposedly an access point for those who want to catch time

and would like to avoid traffic by means of walking (Steel, 2012). Instead,

sidewalks were transformed into a pseudo marketplace. As a recourse,

pedestrians resort to walking on the road, exposing them to greater risk and

adding to the congestion of the street (Rogerson, 2016). Street vendors are

also accused of promoting forms of degradation and chaos and, therefore, of

undermining the social order (Boonjubun, 2017; Schoenberg, 2012; Devlin,

2019).

Roever (2014) stated that street vendors are the victims of abuse of

authority, including police harassment, arbitrary confiscations of merchandise,

demands for bribes, and physical abuse. Therefore, the recent public

discourse on security have stimulated street trade criminalization and the

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adoption of exclusionary policies in many developing countries (Reyes,2013;

Rogerson, 2016; Eltzold. 2015; Hanser, 2016; Morange, 2015. The move to

legalize street vending was affirmed after national government agencies

signed a memorandum of agreement to uphold and protect the rights of the

informal sector of society (Steel, 2012; Forkour et al., 2017).

Indeed, the awareness that street vending represents an important

source of income for marginalized people needed to persist (Rogerson, 2016;

Bell and Loukaitou-Sideris, 2014; Huang et al., 2014). The local government,

however, will conduct a headcount among vendors and register them as

informal workers who will be under the control and supervision of vendor

associations (Boels, 2014).

Street Vendor's Struggles. The Philippine government first imposed a

nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in March 2020. The

government halted public transportation, shut down all offices and

businesses, and closed schools. The once-bustling streets of Metro Manila,

which consists of 17 towns that make up the country's economic hub, have

become eerily quiet and abandoned, with people, vehicles, and market booths

offering everything from a smorgasbord of street food to colorful knickknacks.

Bringing fewer goods and constantly moving around the streets not only

allows to escape faster but also to be more invisible and attract less attention

(Boels, 2014; DeLuca, 2012).

The COVID-19 epidemic has spread across the globe, affecting

practically all countries and territories. In Wuhan, China, the epidemic was

first discovered in December 2019. The public was urged to be cautious and
 16

responsive by countries all around the world. Handwashing, wearing face

masks, physical separation, and avoiding large gatherings and assemblies

have all been used as public health strategies. To flatten the curve and control

the spread of the disease, methods such as lockdown and remaining at home

have been put in place (Sintema, 2020).

The epidemic was particularly disastrous for the estimated 3.5 million

Filipino women who work in the informal sector, running "street vendors" and

"carinderias" on street corners or small convenience stores known as

"sari-sari stores" from their homes. Street trading has become integral to how

public space works in the Philippines. It cannot be considered marginal since

it gears to the urban economy and works as a key mode of income generation

for the urban poor to sustain livelihoods. A poor understanding of how forms

of street trading work in public space can lead to poor design and policy

interventions. While many practices of formalization aim at the elimination of

informality, the challenge is to explore the complex informal/formal relations

and the dynamics of street trading to understand how forms of informality

negotiate space and visibility in the public realm.

According to Flora Assidao-Santos, Secretary General of the Metro

Manila Vendor’s Association (MMVA) (2020), with the imposition of the

COVID-19 national lockdown, Filipino women in the informal sector were the

first to be cut off from economic opportunities. An organization of street

vendors spread across a dozen municipalities, Filipino women in the informal

sector were the first to be cut off from economic opportunities. Vendors were

prohibited from selling on the streets, robbing them of their primary source of
 17

income. As daily wage earners, street vendors had little or no savings to

cushion them from the harsh impact of quarantine restrictions on the

economy. "The vendors on the street and their families went hungry,"

(Assidao-Santos, 2020).

Food Safety. The significance of food security and sanitation has

everything to do with financial matters and survival within the commerce

world. The low level of awareness and vulnerability of current food laws and

regulations also contribute to the country's poor food safety situation (Atahar

Ali, 2013). If a business loses consumer confidence and advertises share

involvement, financial costs and hardship, and/or may indeed go out of

business through and through on the off chance that their firm is found to be

mindful of a foodborne ailment episode (Answers.com, 2013).

When you eat at a street food cart or truck, you can see what you're

about to eat, which isn't always possible in restaurants. You can inspect the

ingredients, the environment and conditions in which the meal is prepared, the

cook or chefs hygiene and expertise, and the general cleanliness. So, you get

to choose whether or not you want to eat at such a location. Bringing fewer

goods and constantly moving around the streets not only allows to escape

faster but also to be more invisible and attract less attention (Boels, 2014;

DeLuca, 2012). This allows you to choose whether or not to dine at a specific

street food vendor. Utilization of sullied food and water causes the passing of

around two million individuals per year, most of whom are children (World

Health Organization, 2014).

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According to R.A. No. 10611 also known as “Food Safety Act of 2013”.

A joinregulatory arrange of Department of Health and Division of Agriculture

states that Food law should point for tall level of food security, assurance of

human life and health in generation and utilization of food. It might to point for

the protection of consumer interests through reasonable hones in food safety.

In a study conducted by (Ahmed et al., 2015). Food safety is a

scientific field that deals with how to handle, prepare, and store food in a way

that prevents food poisoning. This comprises a set of practices that should be

performed in order to avoid serious health risks. To avoid harming customers,

food safety frequently overlaps with food defense. Safety between industry

and market, and subsequently between market and consumer, are the tracks

within this line of thought. Food safety considerations include the origins of

food, including practices relating to food labeling, food hygiene, food

additives, and pesticide residues, as well as biotechnology and food policies

and guidelines for the management of governmental import and export

inspection and certification systems, as well as policies on biotechnology and

food.

Street food is easy on the pockets. (Roever 2012) also defined

sidewalk vendors which include all those selling goods or services in public

places, fixed stalls, like folding tables or wheeled pushcarts that are removed

from the streets and stored overnight; vendors who sell from fixed

locations without a stall structure; or mobile vendors who walk or bicycle

through the streets as they sell. Most of the street food offerings are cheap

compared to anyplace else within the food industry. It doesn't fetch much to
 19

have sufficient on your plate to satisfy your starvation, particularly in littler

towns and cities. Street food is cheap and subsequently simple on the pocket

in standard markets. In a lion's share of cases, street food doesn’t take long to

be served because it gets cooked on a persistent premise and arranged well

in progress. The thing is that street food merchants know their everyday outgo

and the number and kind of individuals or foodies who assembly their food

carts. Too, there are a number of food carts or slows down in such places

dispersing the number of hungry individuals equitably.

Foodborne diseases are a major and growing public health concern in

both developing and developed countries (Bhattacharjya & Reang, 2014). The

food provided in street food carts or trucks may not always be of poor quality,

but it is frequently below average. Why? In order to keep costs and selling

prices low, street food vendors often sacrifice the quality of the ingredients

they use in their cooking, which might include vegetables, groceries, and even

the oil they use.

On the other hand, Aurora Almendral (2014) accepted that in a city like

Manila, where indeed the cheapest fast-food suppers can feel like a rampage

spend for numerous office laborers, casual slows down with negligible

overhead and cheap products like one of the road sellers she knows fill a

require and offer assistance the city run more productively. However as much

as Manila may require its merchants, it frequently doesn't treat them well at

all, forcing burdensome controls and limiting how they utilize the public space

that's their commercial center. Through a long time offering on lanes and in
 20

back streets, the city's community of merchants has ended up adroit

approximately how to explore these spaces and how to excite them.

CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

This chapter shows how researchers will be gathering data from their

respondents using different data collection methods, and what data analysis

procedures will be used to analyse the gathered data. The following also

contains the instruments that will be used in collecting data, research

methodologies, and a researcher’s respondents.

Research Design

Qualitative research is exploratory or interrogative investigation and

tries to induce “under the surface”. “The point is to assemble bits of

knowledge into how individuals live; what they do; how they utilize things; or

what they require in their ordinary or proficient lives. “(Government Design

Service Manual, 2016). This research study is a phenomenological study, a

qualitative research design. The fundamental goal of the approach is to arrive

at a description of the nature of the particular phenomenon (Creswell, 2013).

Typically, interviews are conducted with a group of individuals who

have first-hand knowledge of an event, situation or experience. Other forms

of data such as documents, observations and art may also be used. The data

is then read and reread and culled for like phrases and themes that are then

grouped to form clusters of meaning (Creswell, 2013). Through this process

the researcher may construct the universal meaning of the event, situation or
 21

experience and arrive at a more profound understanding of the phenomenon.

Phenomenological study describes the meaning that experiences hold for

each subject. Phenomenological study aims to determine the essential of the

respondent's experience. The researcher's focused on the street vendors of

Municipality of Lupon, Davao Oriental will tell us about their experiences of

their financial in times of pandemic.

Participants and Sampling

The respondents are five (5) street food vendors consisting of isaw,

betamax, fishballs, squid balls, kikiam, chicken skin, balut, kwek-kwek, etc.

The selected vendors will be given a semi-structured questionnaires at the

Municipality of Lupon where the following respondents will be found.

This qualitative research will be using a non-probability sampling. It will

use the availability sampling wherein the researchers will look for the following

respondents that can correspond to the objectives of the study and this

sampling will be voluntary to our respondents according to their willingness to

respond to our questions. This sampling will be using a small sample, which

includes five stall vendors of Municipality of Lupon.

Research Instrument

An interview guide with three primary questions was employed as the

research instrument in this study. We used the sub-question in every major

question to lead the participants to answer the research questions as the

study progressed. The interview guide questions were submitted to a panel of

specialists for evaluation and validation of the study before being presented to
 22

the research participants. We expected certain revisions as a result of the

panel of experts’ suggestions and clarifications after it was submitted.

Role of the Researchers

As study researchers, we accepted and pondered the participants'

personal experiences with the Financial Plight of Street Food Vendors and

how it affected their personal lives as well as society. We assumed that by

conducting an in-depth interview, we would have a better understanding of the

study's key findings. We also needed vital data to be able to come up with the

most accurate results on the participants' experiences. We conducted this

study as the interviewer of the participants as well as the data recorder as the

interview progressed. Then, in order to collect the necessary information and

data, we transcribed and listened to what the participants said in response to

the study's questions. We also employed categorization when collecting and

gathering data so that we could better analyze and organize the responses of

the participants as the study's findings.

Ethical Consideration

Following their review of the study, the researchers outlined ethical

measures to ensure that respondents' rights are maintained. The researchers

will ask the responders if they are interested in participating in the study. The

respondents will not be forced to participate if they do not want to. The

information acquired will not be altered, and it will be written in accordance

with the findings of the in-depth interview. To guarantee that the questions

were unbiased, the researcher's own ideas and sentiments were set aside.
 23

The respondents' personal information will be kept private, and the data

collected will be used exclusively for the purposes of the study; any other use

will be banned. The responders will be protected by the researchers, who will

ensure that their privacy is not infringed.

Informed Consent. Informed consent is one of the founding principles

of research ethics. Its intent is that human participants can enter research

freely (voluntarily) with full information about what it means for them to take

part, and that they give consent before they enter the research. Informed

consent means that the person participating in the evaluation is fully informed

about the evaluation being conducted. Participants need to be made aware of

the purpose of the project, who or what group is funding it, how the findings

will be used, if there are any potential adverse impacts of their participation

and who will have access to the findings. The main purpose of informed

consent is that the participant is able to make an informed decision as to

whether they will participate in the evaluation or not. Additional information

should also be provided in the event that the participant becomes distressed

in any way during their participation. Consent should be obtained before the

participant enters the research (prospectively), and there must be no undue

influence on participants to consent. The minimum requirements for consent

to be informed are that the participant understands what the research is and

what they are consenting to.

Voluntary Participation. Refers to a ethical principle protected by

International law and many scientific codes of conduct. (Bhandari; 2021)

define voluntary participation as a research subjects are free to choose, to

participate without any pressure or coercion. All participants are able to

 24

widraw from, or leave, the study at any point without feeling an obligation to

continue. Your participants don’t need to provide a reason for leaving the

study. It’s important to make it clear to participants that there are no negative

consequences or repercussions to their refusal to participate. After all, they’re

taking the time to help you in the research process, so you should respect

their decisions without trying to change their minds.

Confidentiality. The ethical duty of confidentiality refers to the

obligation of an individual or organization to safeguard entrusted information.

According to TCPS (2018) states that ethical duty of confidentiality includes

obligations to protect information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure,

modification, loss, or theft. Fulfilling the ethical duty of confidentiality is

essential to the trust relationship between researcher and participant, and the

integrity of the research project. Researchers shall safeguard information

entrusted to them and not misuse or wrongfully disclose it. Institutions shall

support their researchers in maintaining promises of confidentiality. The

ethical duty of confidentiality applies to information obtained directly from

participants, or from other researchers or organizations that have legal,

professional, or other obligations to maintain confidentiality. The ethical duty

of confidentiality must, at times, be balanced against competing for ethical

considerations or legal or professional requirements that call for disclosure of

information obtained or created in a research context. For example, in

exceptional and compelling circumstances, researchers may be subject to

obligations to report information to authorities to protect the health, life, or

safety of a participant or a third party.

 25

Do no Harm. Nonmaleficence (do no harm) obligation not to inflict

harm intentionally. According to Marquardt (2016) “first do no harm”

Beneficence (do good) Provide benefits to persons and contribute to their

welfare. Refers to an action done for the benefit of others. This simply stated

principle supports several moral rule do not kill, do not cause pain or suffering,

do not incapacitate, do not cause offense, and do not deprive others of the

goods of life. WAC (2012) assert that harm can be both physical and/or

psychological and therefore can be in the form of: stress, pain, anxiety,

diminishing self-esteem or an invasion of privacy. It is imperative that the

evaluation process does not in any way harm (unintended or otherwise)

participants.

Data Privacy Act. The Philippines passed the Data Privacy Act 2012

in 2012, enacting comprehensive and stringent privacy legislation "to protect

the fundamental human right of privacy, communication, and free flow of

information in order to promote innovation and growth" (Republic Act. No.

10173, Ch. 1, Sec. 2). The Data Privacy Act of 2012 is the government's

method of ensuring the legal protection of personal and private data from

various stakeholders. It outlines the provisions, penalties, government

responsibilities, rights and responsibilities of those who handle and own data,

and the National Privacy Commission's implementation. The Data Privacy Act

of 2012 is a good thing that aims to protect citizens. The government should

vigorously implement and enforce this law. Citizens will be at ease knowing

that there is a law in place to combat the growing threat of personal

information, as well as processes with a legal foundation. Information is

critical, and threats are always present. (Allain; 2012) The Data Privacy Act is
 26

necessary because it protects and secures information and communication

systems for both governments and the private sector for the benefit of

citizens. With the advancement of technology and information, this act is one

of the most important laws that protects the public and secures against

perpetrators of crime who take advantage of and compensate others. As a

result, passing and enacting this law is entirely appropriate.

Data Gathering Procedure

Despite the field of study or inclination for characterizing information,

precise information-gathering technique is fundamental to keeping up with

research integrity. Also, the objective for all data collection is to catch quality

proof that permits the study to prompt the plan of persuading and credible

responses to the questions that have been presented. With the appropriate

usage of data in the study, the researchers were able to determine the

Financial Plight of the Street Food Vendors. This process incorporates the

step-by-step process that the researchers followed during the entire length of

their study.

First, the research equipment used in this study will be built up by the

researchers. The researchers then submitted them for approval to specialists

in the area. That shall be approved by their investigation counsel.

Second, after all the experts validated the research tools, the

researchers shall give their informed consent to conduct the study, as well as

to the respondents that will allow the researchers to collect the data and used

the data in the results, discussion, and analysis of the study.

 27

Third, the consent shall be approved, and that include that the

researchers must be fully vaccinated and knows how to follow the safety

protocols before conducting the interview. Around then, the possible test will

run for at least a day for every one of the respondents to address the

questions.

Fourth, before we ask a question, we must first ask the respondent

whether the questions we are about to ask are acceptable with them, and

then we must explain why we are doing it in the first place, primarily to

comprehend the issue. The researchers shall give the questions after

receiving approval to lead the study, which shall do through an in-depth

interview. The researcher then double-checked that the responders can grasp

the questionnaire.

Lastly, following the completion of the respondents' responses, the

researchers shall double-check the answers using their tallies and prepared a

table with a code sheet based on the responses. Following the collection of all

pertinent data, a tabular record, must be created and the data shall review.

Data Analysis

After the data gathering procedure, the information acquired during the

in-depth interviews shall be transcribed, translated, and evaluated. We will be

also sorting and categorizing the data acquired via this study. We shall be

aware, that the themes of the study's findings coincided with the main

principles as we classified and categorize the data.

In the data analysis of our study, the information received from the

following areas of the interview guide questions shall be compiled. We will be

 28

also classifying the replies based on the respondents' experiences with how

they were able to manage the study's issue; we did this to ascertain the

findings of the data acquired. We will be also considering the analysis that

shall be suited to the participants' replies and conducted in an acceptable

manner.

Trustworthiness of the Study

Olivia (2017) described trustworthiness as a broad notion that

encompasses a wide range of concepts. It is best to establish the findings that

are relevant to the study that make it credible, transferrable, confirmable, and

dependable rather than employing instruments with establishing norms

concerning validity and reliability. The ability to rely on or give what is

necessary to commence the research. Similarly, the study's notions of validity

and reliability are closely related to those of qualitative research, however

instead of focusing on them, qualitative researchers focus on data of

trustworthiness (Devault, 2018).

Credibility is essential in research to make it real or believable

(Lincoln; 2013). It requires active participation and adequate time as the

interview goes on. We also set the observation goals with the use of enough

numbers of interviews and involvement, so that the participants to the

research feel free to answer the question as the study being conducted

without hesitation (Olivia; 2012). We will make sure that the participants of our

research could give trust to the researcher to allow for suitable study in a
 29

specific topic and thus to amend the misinterpretation of data. To be real or

credible, research must be as credible as the interview, which needs active

participation and enough time. We also set the observation goals by

conducting a sufficient number of interviews and involving the research

participants so that they feel free to answer the questions without hesitation

during the study. As a result, we will ensure that the participants in our study

have faith in the researcher, allowing for a long-term investigation of a specific

topic and, as a result, preventing data misinterpretation. To address this, we

will maintain a high level of satisfaction in gathering and analyzing data

throughout our study. Devault (2018) added that that the credibility in the

qualitative research helps the study to become believable.

Confirmability according to Olivia (2017) entails the equal approach in

the research study. The findings of the study must be from the participants

responses and not from the personal interest of a researcher. It is making

sure that a researcher bias does not change of what the partcipants said to

suit for the certain topic. The qualitative researcher establish an audit trail,

which emphasizes every step of data analysis in order to provide a rationale

for the discussion made. (Olivia; 2012 It helps to establish that the research

studies findings have a proper description to participants response. We feel

that by properly implementing our strategy and methodology, we will be able

to address reliability in our research. We consider the flexibility of any

 30

adjustments made during the study. Furthermore, we feel that the study's

ultimate goal will be given an opportunity to promote a positive outcome with

the next application of the findings.

Transferability, generalizes study findings and attemps to apply them

to others situations and context. Researcher cannot prove definitely that

outcomes based on the interpretation of the data are transferable, but they

can establish that it is likely. According to Olivia (2012) Transferability is how

the qualitative researcher demonstrates that the research study’s findings are

applicable to other contexts. In this case, “other contexts” can mean similar

situations, similar populations, and similar phenomena.Qualitative researchers

can use thick description to show that the research study’s findings can be

applicable to other contexts, circumstances, and situations (Devaute; 2013).

Dependability. According to Polit and Beck (2012) the degree to which

the study might be replicated by other researchers and the results would be

consistent is referred to as dependability. In other words, if someone wants to

repeat your study, they should be able to do so using the information in your

research report and come up with equivalent results (Lincoln; 2015). In order

to establish dependability, a qualitative researcher can employ inquiry audit,

which requires an outside individual to verify and examine the research

method and data analysis in order to confirm that the findings are consistent

and repeatable (Barth; 2012).

 31

Authenticity, refers to the extent to extent to which researchers, fairly

and faithfully, shows a range of realities (Beck; 2012). Authenticity refers to

the extent to which researchers fairly and faithfully show a range of different

realities. Authenticity emerges in a report when it conveys the feeling tone of

participants' lives as they are lived (Barth; 2012). Authenticity involves shifting

away from concerns about the reliability and validity of research to concerns

about research that is worthwhile and thinking about its impact on members of

the culture or community being researched. According to Lincoln (2015).

 32

CHAPTER 3

RESULTS

This part presents and discusses the lived experiences of the street

food vendors, their coping strategies, and their insights from the in-depth

interviews and focus group discussions.

To reiterate, research questions addressed to participants are

enumerated as follows: What are the lived experiences and the specific

challenges you encounter as a street food vendor? How did these street food

vendors cope with the challenges they experienced, and how those strategies

would imply maintaining the stability of their income?; What insights did the

participants share about their experiences, and what valuable insights that the

community will learn with you as a street food vendor?

Exploring the Lived Experiences of the Financial Plight of the Street

Food Vendors

Based on the answers of the participants during the In-depth Interview,

four essential themes emerged as reflected in Table 1. The themes are

Inadequacy in terms of Capital, Existence of Unwanted Behavioral Deeds,

Health Safety Restrictions, and Convenience of Access to People. These

themes are based on the core ideas, which are the results of careful analysis

of the various responses of the participants which are also reflected in Table

1.
 33

Table 1
Themes and Core Ideas of The Lived Experiences of the Financial Plight
of the Street Food Vendors

Major Themes Core Ideas

● Less income
Inadequacy in terms of ● Unstable profit
Capital ● Short budget
● Anger Management
Existence of unwanted ● Having insufficient
behavioral deed knowledge to deal with customers
● Lack of guidance
● Absence of Hygiene
Health Safety Restrictions ● Adherence to health
protocols
● Vaccination Card
● Ease of Access to food
The convenience of Access ● Affordable price fit for
to People everybody
● Public essentials

Inadequacy in Terms of Capital. Responses to the questions asked

on the lived experiences of street food vendors on why they became street

food vendors. The analysis revealed that most of the participants are inclined

to have an unstable profit.

Respondent 1 said that,

 34

“Lisod oi. Katong ni agi, katong pandemic naapektohan jud ang among

negosyo gamay ra kaayo mi ug halin unya short kaayo sa mga gastuhon

siyempre kay gamay ramn ang tao ang mupalit sa among mga pagkaon.”

(It's hard. During the pandemic, our business was affected. Our income was

decreasing and we were short on expenses because there weren't many

people buying our food.)

Respondent 2 aforementioned,

“Ang uban tao baya kay dili kaayo sila mugawas, magduha-duha sila mupalit

sa pagkaon, kay tumal ang mga customer mao na ang among budget kay

magkashort-short jud.”

(Some people didn't go outside, take a walk or socialize in crowded places

because of what was happening in our world, or universe rather. People

hesitate to buy food. That's why there are no customers sometimes, and that

results in our short-term expenses.)

Respondent 3 uttered that,

“Maglisod napudt mi ug pangita og pang bag ong stock niya dili maayo

ang dagan sa kita.”

(We are having a hard time producing new stock, and our income will also be

affected.)

Existence of Unwanted Behavioral Deed. People will unknowingly

carry around bad behaviors — behaviors that hold them back from loving
 35

relationships, career growth, and simple life happiness. Most of us do a few

things to annoy people, especially in our close relationships. The different

experiences of street food vendors especially their unpleasant attitude toward

their customers.

Respondent 1 mentioned that,

“Ahh.. kaning kuan, usahay lami kay tuk on ang customer sa kangil-ad lagi sa

batasan."

(Ahh…Umm..sometimes I want to strangle a customer because of their

bad attitude).

Respondent 2 expounded,

“Sa amoa kay dili lagi unta nalang patulan (sigh..), pero ang uban man gud

mangabusar maong usahay lami kay sila chop chopon tapos sila nalay

pritohon..”

(For us, it is better not to argue, but others are abusive, which is why it is so

tempting to chop them and fry them.)

Respondent 3 also stresses that,

“Pero one time naay grabe kaayo giluwaan among stall kay tungod pait lagi

daw maong sa kato nata time init init biya, ni surok pudt akong dugo maong

nakahuna huna gyud ko nga tusukon ilang liog og tirongan..”

(But one time, one customer spat on our stall just because the taste of

our food was not pleasant, and it turned out to be very hot weather. (It
 36

seemed like the heat was always in the bag and the heat prevailed, my blood

boiled and all I thought was that I wanted to stab their neck with a chopstick.)

Health Safety Restrictions. It's not easy being a street food vendor.

Health safety limitations are required everywhere, especially in the current

pandemic situation, and they have been created explicitly for all street food

sellers.

Respondent 1 affirmed by saying,

“Nagsugod ni katong naay Covid nga nahunong ang uban tungod walay

social distancing tapos dapat kami naay mga facemask og faceshield”

(It started with COVID, which stopped others because there was no social

distancing. Then we had to have facemasks and face shields.)

Respondent 3 mentioned,

“Kanang mag inspect sila tapos dili mi makapakita og vaccination card

kanang e undang siya og kanang maka-undang mi maglisod napudt mi ug

pangita og pang bag ong stock niya dili maayo ang dagan sa kita pero sa una

to karon okay okay na kay vaccinated naman mi.”

(That they will inspect and then when we can't show our vaccination card,

they will stop us, and from that, we will be having a hard time finding new

stock, then we will be having an unstable profit, but it all in the past because

right now were all vaccinated.)

 37

The convenience of Access to People. This will relieve the stress of

any client seeking ready-to-eat items at a low cost. The following are the hard

and rewarding experiences gleaned from the participants' answers from their

clients.

Respondent 1 stated that,

“Kaysa muadto sila sa mga mahalon didtos Jollibee diri nlang sila sa barato

na lami pa char hahahahah bitaw oi..”

(Instead of going to the expensive ones like Jollibee, we are here selling

cheap foods that taste good char hahaha yeah..)

Respondent 2 added,

“Bisag perti na kaayo kabarato nga bisag mga manlilimos kapalit ing-ani siya

ka patok sa tanan..”

(Even though it is so cheap that even beggars can buy it, it makes our food

well known.)

Investigating the Coping Mechanisms of the Financial Plight of

the Street Food Vendors

To bring about profound answers from the participants on how they

cope with the challenges they face as street food vendors., this question is

asked to them; how did you cope with your bad experiences and how did it

help you? The two themes that came out as a result of the core ideas are the

desire for continuing the street food vending business and meeting up with

interventions and strategies.

 38

Table 2

Themes and Core Ideas on the Coping Mechanisms of the Financial

Plight of the Street Food Vendors

Major Themes Core Ideas

● Positive Mindset
Mature Viewpoint ● Precise conclusions
● Rationale thoughts

● Strategic Planning
Meeting with Techniques and ● Acceptance
Interventions ● Durability Improvement
strategy
● Efficacy methodology
Financial Adversity ● Limits of control
● Flexibility

● Action Plan
Goals for Sustainable ● Build Up Resources
Development ● Achieve food security and
improved nutrition

Mature Viewpoint. Bad things happen but due to their mature views,

but still they survive and cope with the challenges they encounter. The world

we live in is fallen and broken, and so are the people in it. We all have to

confront trials and difficulties, and painful things. It was found from this study
 39

that street foods were vended under relatively good sanitary conditions and

that the vendors had good food handling practices. If you don’t have

perseverance you can’t survive, because they believe that the power of

positive thinking is leaving yourself open to success and happiness, as a

strategy for succeeding in work and life.

Respondent 1 stated that,

“For me, kuan lang, buhi-buhi lang gihapon para lang makuan nako ba,

masustintuhan ang pang adlaw adlaw na panginahanglan sa mga bata sa

amoa, continue lang gihapon.”

(For me, it is survival; just to sustain our daily needs and the needs of the

children, we just continue!)

Respondent 2 expounded that,

“Wala, gina fucos ra gyud namo mupaangat amoang business.”

(Nothing, we just focus on how our business will progress.)

Respondent 3 added,

“Humble down lang tapos ipasabot lang sa ilaha na 'Sir pasensya na kaayo

Sir, ing-ani, mao ni, mao na sige lang Sir og for example mahulog gina refund

dan namo na, mahulog naa pa sa among atubangan tapos usahay gusto nila

dili bugnaw niya bugnaw amoa gina ingnan napang namo nga 'Sir didto

nalang ka sa lain' tapos naay uban nga for example naay namaligya og
 40

kwek-kwek sa lain tag kinsi niya saamoa baynte niya masuko ang customer

ginapasabot ra namo og tarong."

(Just be humble and explain to them what it is. Happening ‘Sir, I am so sorry

for this and for that. For instance, if the food they bought from us falls on the

ground in front of us, we will refund it. If they don't want it cold but we sell it

cold, we will just say, "Sir, what if you try it in another store?" If the other store

is selling it at a cheap price in quick-quick for only 15 pesos while we sell it for

20 pesos, then the customer will turn. That's the time that we will explain to

them how much it costs.)

Respondent 4 tells that,

“Wala lang, gina focus ra gyud namo nga mupaangat ang amoang business.”

(Nothing we only focus on growing our business.)

Meeting with Techniques and Interventions. Life is full of its ups and

downs. One day, you may feel like you have it all figured out. Then, at a

moment’s notice, you’ve been thrown a curveball. You’re not alone in this

feeling. Everyone has to face their own set of challenges. Learning how to

overcome challenges will help you stay centered and remain calm under

pressure. It was found in this study that participants find ways how to cope

with the challenges they experienced. The replies that follow are particularly

relevant to the participants' interventions and methods.

Respondent 1 uttered that,

 41

"Para sa akoa, kaming mga vendors bisag parehas mig business, pero akong

strategy pudt is ang kapital mao na akong gina rolling mao na akong gina

pamalit og mga ingredients tapos akong ginansya ginapagawas gyud namo

na inig kahuman namo og paninda human namog negosyo ang katong the

rest kumbaga gawas daan ang kapital tapos ang ginansya mao nato ang

isulod sa imong pocket"

(As a vendor, even though we have the same business, my strategy is

obtaining my ingredients and my income will let me out when we finish

displaying our business, but the rest of the capital is ready to put in the

pocket.)

Respondent 2 said that,

“Wala lang ginapasagdahan nalang namo na sila kay ing ana naman jud na

sila. Lisod kung imo pud na silang tubayan ilaha man nang kinaiya.”

(For us, we have already talked about ignoring negative people. Of course,

we don’t want trouble. Instead of fighting, just look for real and friendly

customers. We’re just ignoring them. Understand them and stay in business.)

Respondent 3 added,

“Ang gina kita namo diria depende rapudt season season lagi kung ting init

mao nag ginatawag namo og good season niya okay kaayo kay mo grossed

mi ug usahay 1,500 pinaka highest na ng 2,00 pero dili pudt permanente sad

kung bad season usahay mu kuan ramig 500 or 300."

 42

(What we make here depends on the season. When it's sunny, we call it a

good season. Sometimes our income reaches 1500 at most, but not always.

It's hard if the season is bad. We only earn 300 to 500 all season.)

Financial Adversity. Financial concerns are one of the most

widespread stressors in modern life, whether it comes from a loss of job,

rising debt, unanticipated spending, or a combination of reasons. But no

matter how hopeless your situation seems, there is help available. By tackling

your money problems head-on, you can find a way through the financial

quagmire, ease your stress levels, and regain control of your finances—and

your life. As much as you might want to chart your path, hardship is a

powerful reminder of the limits of your control. By acknowledging and

embracing those limits on your power, you can put down some of the weight

you're carrying and accept that some things aren't up to you. Surviving

hardship and willing yourself to move forward builds added strength to tackle

new challenges and face future failures. Flexibility allows you to be resilient

and durable as things change. It teaches you to be open to learning and agile

as you figure out what to do next.

Respondent 1 stated that,

“Para sa akoa, kuan lang, buhi buhi lang gihapon para lang na ma kuan nako

ba masustintuan ang pang adlaw adlaw na panginahanglan sa mga bata sa

amoa, continue lang gihapon"

 43

(For me, it's just survival. Just to sustain our daily needs and the needs of the

children, we just continue.)

Respondent 2 said that,

“Kaning ano.. naa man mi trabahante nga naga baligya, kanang ig feel namo

nga pababa na ang among kita or kannag dili na makuan among kita or

kanang dili na makuan among ginansya kay kami pamilya nalang ang naga

baligya para dili sami makahatag og sweldo sa katong among mg trabahante”

(We have an employee, if we feel that our sales are low and decrease our

profit, our family will be the one who will merchant our foods so that we will

not give salary to our employee.)

Respondent 3 added,

“Wala lang ginapasagdahan nalang namo na sila kay ing ana naman jud na

sila. Lisod kung imo pud na silang tubayan ilaha man nang kinaiya.”

(We will just ignore them because that is who they are, It's hard and a

waste of time if we pay attention to them, that's their attitude.)

Goals for Sustainable Development. The key to understanding

sustainability is to recognize that each action we take affects the world around

us. Contrary to popular belief, living sustainably doesn’t necessarily mean you

have to live without luxury, but that you simply are cognizant of your resource

consumption and of reducing unnecessary things. Collectively, all of our

 44

efforts will make a real impact. As we move forward, we can all continue in

our resolutions for the new millennium – ensuring that no one is left behind in

a safer, happier future.

Respondent 1 added that,

“Dako oi, dako siyag matabang kay ang mga customer kay magbalik-balik,

mubalik ug palit kay hinlo, okay ang lasa unya makainganyo sa lain kay kung

ikaw pud ganahan ka mupalit kung hugaw ang imong gipalitan.”

(It has a big help because the customer will love and notice what you are

selling because it’s clean and delicious because the taste is good and it is

convincing to other customers, do you think that other people will notice what

you are selling if it is dirty.)

Respondent 2 said that,

“Hinluan ang mga gamit, tilawan perminte ang baligya kung okay ba ang

lasa kay kung dili, dili na magbalik-balik ang mga customers. Hinlo perminte

ang mantika.”

(Clean the utensils, and taste the food for you to know the texture before

selling it so that the customer will love the food you are selling. Make sure that

the oil is clean.)

Respondent 3 added,
 45

“ maabot siya kadalasan og 5k sa tanan nana apil tong ginabaligyaan sa

among mga trabahante”

(Our income only reach 5k with our food that is sold to our employee)

Delve into the Lived Experiences of the Financial Plight of the

Street Food Vendors

Insights were drawn by asking the participants from the in-depth

interview discussions. From their insights, core ideas were drawn out which

led to three major themes. The following themes are creating a path to

self-actualization, implementing effective discipline, and building around the

challenges.

Since everyone's focus is centered on the obstacles they're facing, it's

also important to seek the situations' transpired understanding, which helps

them to realize their intended purpose and awareness. Experiences are

intended to help a person grow, strengthen, and become more conscious. As

a result, insights enable us to anticipate new changes, circumstances, or

possibilities.

Table 3

Themes and Core Ideas on the Insights of the Lived Experiences of the
Financial Plight of the Street Food Vendors

Major Themes Core Ideas

● Addressing a challenge is

Creating a Path to the source of strength

Self-Actualization ● Commitment to the job and

community
 46

● Improvement of oneself

● Proper waste disposal

Implementing Effective
● Good manners
Discipline
● Right conduct

● Patience is the key

● Awareness about the

Built Around the Challenges boomerang effect

● Opening up all the

possibilities

● Innovating and adapting

Enthusiasm to Embrace changes

Changes ● Inspiration effectiveness

● Open-minded

Creating a Path to Self- Actualization. The challenges that street

food vendors experience are incredibly beneficial in terms of their personal

growth, development, and progress. The responses of the participants who

are on the path to self-actualization are listed below.

Respondent 1 cited that,

"Dili dapat niyo ikaulaw na street food vendor ka kay mao biya nay gatabang

sa inyong family sa inyong everyday nga kinahanglan."

(You should not be ashamed of being a street food vendor because that will

help your family with your daily needs.)

 47

Respondent 2 answered,

"Dapat bisag unsa inyohang mga baligya, bisag asa paka nagtrabaho or asa

ka naga-tinda same gihapon na mga tao ta nga parehas ratag level dinhis

kalibutan bisag unsa pa imong kuan."

(No matter what you sell, no matter where you work or where you shop,

we are still the same people, on the same level in this world no matter what

your background.)

Respondent 3 expressed,

"Oo, sa pagtitinda ko dito ako sa akong sarili naay kabag-ohan bali

naga grow ko as individual habang naga-interact sa laing tao"

(Yes, when I started selling here, I see that I have a chance as an

individual while interacting with other people.)

Implementing Effective Discipline. Discipline is the key to success.

Discipline should be handled impersonally. With self-discipline almost

everything is possible. Self-discipline makes anyone realize what is required

in their daily lives. Discipline can be positively related to performance. It is the

bridge between goals and accomplishment.

Respondent 1 expounded that,

"Unang-una gyudt gina encourage gyud ang mga tao nga despite sa ilang

trabaho kailangan naa gyud silay business og panultihon pa nila wala daw
 48

nadato sa trabaho ang uban daw nadato sa negosyo may point man pud na

siya, may point pudt ng trabaho pero ang pinaka the best point is business

mao nay gina encourage sa mga tao karon, pati ang mga naa sa gobyerno

gina encourage nila tong mga trabahante nga mag build og business pudt,

bisag mga ginagmay lang tapos ika duha, part sa ang makuha na lesson sa

mga tao is disposal of waste kung asa ang mga tao is gina-anad naman gud

nga ilabay sa tamang basurahan ang basura niya diri sa amoa ing ana gyud

kay bisan pag bata tapos na-anad sa ing-ana maglabay og tarong madala na

niya nga batasan bisan asa pana siya.”

(First of all, I encourage people that, despite their work, they need to

have a business. People are encouraged now, as well as those in

government. They are encouraging these workers to build a business, even if

it's just a small part of the lesson that people can learn is the disposal of

waste. Here people can throw their garbage in the right trash can. Even as a

child, after getting used to it, he will throw it where it belongs. He can carry the

habit wherever he goes.)

Respondent 2 explained that,

"Pag-initon og ulo ang customer tapos gina insist nila na kailangan ing-anig

price, or ing ani kadagko-a or gina-istoryahan nalang nako nga kung dili sila

ka-angay sa baligya kay pwede man dili nalang sila mupalit."

(If the customer is mad or not in the mood and then insists that the price

be lower, I'll just talk to them. If they don't like my sale, maybe they just won't

buy.)
 49

Respondent 3 mentioned,

"Kanang mga customer na diria sa amoa naa ma juy suki-suki noh lisod, lisod

jud nimo hikayaton ang mga customer na dili jud mupalit, igo lang ka nila

tan-awon. Kung ing-ana ipakita lang japon nimo ang imong maayong

pamatasan, kung dili mupalit, sige okay."

(Those customers who are here with us are already my customers. It is very

difficult for us as sellers to persuade the customers who are here to buy. They

will just look at you. Then you just show your good manners. If they don't like

your sale, it's okay.)

Built Around the Challenges. The different challenges experienced by the

street food vendors have led to their different realizations and insights from

their daily lives. These are evident in the responses of the participants.

Respondent 1 stated that,

"Para sa akoa kung about lang sa business kailangan kung good season ta

kailangan gyud na, kailangan gyud ta magtigom kay lisod gyud kaayo ang

sitwasyon, muabot ang time nga bad season na niya way ayo ang negosyo

gagmay ang kita, walay kay mabunlot sa imohang pocket tapos kailangan

gyud kumbaga sa pamilya pa kailangan gyud ninyo og unity kay lisod kaayo

og sa business di nato malikayan na nga naay lalis-lalis. Isa sa akong

natun-an kay dapat kung naay kalagot or problema sa personal life dapat dili

dal-on sa business kay aron dili maapektuhan ang pangita."

 50

(For me, if it's just business, we need a good season, we need to get

together because the situation is very difficult and the time will come when the

bad season will come." Moreover, you need family unity. You need unity

because it is very difficult and in business, we cannot avoid quarrels. One of

the things I have learned is that if there is anger or problems in my personal

life, it should not be brought into the business.)

Respondent 2 answered,

"Sa pag musulod ka ani nga business, kay ano kailangan gyud siya og

patience og kanang courage para mag success imohang business."

(When you enter a business, you need patience and courage to

succeed in your business.)

Respondent 3 cited,

"Mao to, una ang pagkakugihan. Malampasan nimo ang problema kung

madiskarte ka, dili ka muingon na diria lang ka taman ug sa imong

pagkakugihan mosulod si patience. Kailangan na patience ka dili ka, naa kay

gipangayo karon naa dayon ug labaw sa tanan dili nimo to mahimo kung wala

kay salig ug pagtuo sa Ginoo.”

(That's right, diligence first. You can overcome the problem if you are

strategic. Don't say that you will, you're just here and with diligence and

patience, it will come in. You need patience because that is what is demanded

now. It is there immediately, and most of all, you can't do it without trusting

and confidence in the Lord.)

 51

Respondent 2 added,

"Dili importante kung unsa.. kuan kanang ano gud kanang imong kung unsa

ang gina ingon sa mga tao sa among negosyo og kanang masulbad ang

problema pag mag tinabangay"

(It doesn't matter what you do or what people say about your business.

The best way to solve the difficulties in your business is to work together no

matter what happens.)

Enthusiasm to Embrace Changes. Claiming changes also being

more creative and innovative as a street food vendor. Advocating change and

innovation were given emphasis. The following are the responses of the

respondents which reflect their acquiescence and enthusiasm to embrace

changes.

Respondent 1 answered,

“Pagkakugihan, patience ug labaw na sa tanan ang pagsalig jud sa atong

Ginoo.”

(Diligence, patience, and above all trust in our Lord.)

Respondent 2 cited that,

“Pagmusulod ka sa inig-ani na business kailangan gud ka na kugihan ka kay

dili ka magdugay sa inig-ani na pagpangitag income.”

 52

(When you start a business, you have to work hard because you won’t take

long to earn an income.)

Respondent 3 mentioned,

“Kailangan nako na maging more sensitive sa ilang panginahanglan, kung

naa’y suggestions ang mga customers open ko na maminaw, ug kailangan

sad nako mag-observe kay mas na-open o napapalawig ang aking mind.”

(I have to be more sensitive to their needs, I have to listen to their

suggestions, I have to observe more so, therefore, I became more

open-minded.)
 53

CHAPTER 4

DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Discussion regarding the results of the study based on the major

themes of the analysis of the lived experiences of street food vendors is the

primary concern of this part. In the same way, this section also deals with the

implications for educational practice, the recommendations for further

research, and concluding remarks. The researchers also accounted for the

responses, reactions, and ordeals as the participants shared their

experiences in the in-depth interview.

DISCUSSIONS

Lived Experiences of the Financial Plight of the Street Food Vendors

The responses of the participants on their experiences as street food

vendors revealed that most of them had similar experiences. Their responses

also varied depending on the various situations and experiences they had.

During the interviews and discussions, the participants were reluctant

at first to share their experiences. Nevertheless, in the process of

communicating with the participants naturally and openly, they began to share

their views, opinions, emotions, challenges, coping strategies, and insights

they experienced as street food vendors in the community.

 54

The results in both the In-depth interview revealed four significant

themes; Inadequacy in Terms of Capital, Existence of Unwanted Behavioral

Deeds, Health Safety Restrictions, and Convenience of Access to People.

One of the significant themes was the Inadequacy in terms of Capital.

The majority of the participants revealed that they faced Inadequacy in terms

of Capital due to the pandemic which pulled them down to the verge that they

cannot sustain their livelihoods and their families. As stated by Jessica C.

Romero-Michel in January 2021 from Mexico entitled ‘Health and economic

measures in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Effect on Street Vendors’.

Affirmed that even though different sectors of the population are affected

economically by the pandemic, the most vulnerable sectors, such as street

vendors, suffer the most. The drop in their earnings can affect most

necessities, such as providing food for their families and themselves. The

limitations resulting from not receiving a fixed salary make it impossible for the

street vendors to stop working. If they can, it is only for a few days, unlike the

situation for formal employees.

Another major theme was the Existence of unwanted behavioral deeds.

Many of the participants shared that being a street food vendor is a tiring job

because of the duties and responsibilities that they should comply with, as

street food vendors. Wiatrowski and Trafialek (2021) highlighted the actions of

street food sellers that sometimes became irrational due to a lack of

understanding to comprehend their customers' perspectives in some

circumstances some vendors are on the positive side to talk back to their

customers because of their outermost attitude.

 55

Health Safety Restrictions are another prevailing theme. Most of the

participants shared that being a street food vendor is prone to physical

encounters so, health-related restrictions are mandated for everyone and

everywhere, especially in light of the present Pandemic, and they have been

established specifically for all street food vendors. An article by Geneva

(2019) entitled Factors associated with food safety compliance among street

food vendors reveals that given the safety concerns of street food, Vietnam

has over time issued several regulations to enhance street food hygiene and

safety practices. For instance, Decision No. 3199/2000/QD-BYT standardizes

requirements to obtain street food hygiene and safety; specifies food safety

conditions for food-catering services and street food businesses and Circular;

undergoing health examination; wearing protective clothes; purchasing raw

materials from safe and approved suppliers; storing food in proper containers;

and managing waste disposal properly.

Another prevailing and dominant theme is the Convenience of Access

to People. The participants stated that this will relieve the stress of any client

seeking ready-to-eat items at a low cost. This supports the idea of Luiha Ma

(2019) that Street food not only provides convenience for many people but is

also the livelihood for millions of low-income people, making a great

contribution to the economy of many developing countries. Methods: Street

food safety is essential, and yet it has been rarely studied.

Moreover, street food suppliers have generally poor food handling

practices, and most are operating under unsanitary conditions. Food safety

knowledge of street vendors in the High-tech Industries Development Zone

 56

was the lowest, most likely because these regions are located in rural-urban

fringe zones, where education levels are generally relatively low.

The Coping Mechanisms of the Financial Plight of the Street Food

Vendors

When surrounded by difficulties and challenges, different individuals

have their ways of finding solutions or strategies to cope with the situation

they are in. Street food vendors have their ways of dealing with and handling

the challenges they face in their work and jobs.

A mature viewpoint is one of the prevailing themes of the coping

strategies of the street food vendors. Dewey (2012) described this process of

productive struggle as requiring both time and effort in the face of some

problem-solving confusion: to think about the conceptual aspects of the

problem, piece together ideas, try to make sense of them, and work out

methods for resolving the dilemma. Bad things happen but due to their mature

views, but still they survive and cope with the challenges they encounter.

Generally, people usually think about perseverance as sticking- with-it, it or

not giving up in the face of a challenge, to accomplish a particular

achievement goal. However, this idea of perseverance can be interpreted in

many different ways. In some cases, not giving up is couched as a productive

disposition that paves the way for accomplishing long-term goals (Bandura,

2012; Dweck, 2014; Duckworth et al., 2015; Linnenbrink & Pintrich, 2015;

Wrosch et al., 2015). Yet in other cases, not giving up is considered closer to

the moment, as observable engagement during problem-solving to

accomplish short-term, in-the-moment goals (Bandura & Schunk, 2013;

Gallagher & De Lisi, 2014; Middleton, Tallman, Hatfield, & Davis, 2014;
 57

Sansone, Wiebe, & Morgan, 1999; Warshauer, 2015). The world we live in is

fallen and broken, and so are the people in it. We all have to confront trials

and difficulties, and painful things. If you don’t have perseverance you can’t

survive, because they believe that the power of positive thinking is leaving

yourself open to success and happiness, as a strategy for succeeding in work

and life.

Another remarkable coping strategy is the Meeting Up with Techniques

and Interventions life is full of its ups and downs. One day, you may feel like

you have it all figured out. Then, at a moment’s notice, you’ve been thrown a

curveball. You’re not alone in this feeling. Everyone has to face their own set

of challenges. While it is important to work on improving your weaknesses,

focusing on using your strengths can increase your confidence. As you focus

on using your strengths, you will become stronger and better equipped to face

the challenges of life (Greater Good, 2017). We have to work harder, things

take longer, and it doesn’t go exactly the way we want. We seem to be so

busy complaining about them that we fail to notice how important obstacles

are. However, you will be better able to care for others and to face your

challenges when you have already taken the time to care for your own needs

(HRMET, 2013). Overcoming obstacles is a key skill in life as it helps us to

grow, gives our lives purpose, and could even change the world. Learning

how to overcome challenges will help you stay centered and remain calm

under pressure. Overthinking has been found to interfere with your ability to

solve problems, sap your motivation, and sustain or worsen feelings of

sadness (Lyubomirsky, 2017). It was found in this study that participants find
 58

ways how to cope with the challenges they experienced. The replies that

follow are particularly relevant to the participants' interventions and methods.

Financial Adversity which financial concerns are one of the most

widespread stressors in modern life, whether it comes from a loss of job,

rising debt, unanticipated spending, or a combination of reasons. But no

matter how hopeless your situation seems, there is help available. These

concerns have harmful effects on psychological and physical health, reduce

confidence and productivity in the workplace and increase absenteeism,

delays, lack of concentration as well as conservative (Godfrey, 2016; Van

Praag et al., 2013). By tackling your money problems head-on, you can find a

way through the financial quagmire, ease your stress levels, and regain

control of your finances—and your life. As much as you might want to chart

your path, hardship is a powerful reminder of the limits of your control. By

acknowledging and embracing those limits on your power, you can put down

some of the weight you're carrying and accept that some things aren't up to

you. A person is known as financial literate if he/she can manage his/her

finance in life and change society to which he/she must achieve the

necessary perception, develop his/her skills in this area, and be able to

understand the impact of individual's financial decisions on his/her own,

others and the environment (Remund, 2012). Surviving hardship and willing

yourself to move forward builds added strength to tackle new challenges and

face future failures. Flexibility allows you to be resilient and durable as things

change. It teaches you to be open to learning and agile as you figure out what

to do next. Increased financial literacy has a positive impact on people’s

personal and business life. Financial knowledge helps reduce social and
 59

psychological pressures and increase the welfare of the family in their

personal life. Financial knowledge reduces stress, illness, financial disputes,

abuse of children, and conflict among the families. People who grow up in

families with higher financial knowledge and well-being are less depressed,

show less aggressive and anti-social behavior, and have more self-confidence

(Fox et al., 2015).

Goals for Sustainable Development the key to understanding

sustainability is to recognize that each action we take affects the world around

us. Pursuing sustainability is a good action to do because the consequences

benefit the greatest number and allow future generations to use resources in

the same productive way, as people can now. Safe products and labor

conditions enable lower costs of accidents, allure customers, and strong

regulations can protect companies' competitive advantage (Porter and

Kramer, 2016). Contrary to popular belief, living sustainably doesn’t

necessarily mean you have to live without luxury, but that you simply are

cognizant of your resource consumption and of reducing unnecessary things.

External and opportunity costs of sustainability as well as costs of addressing

regulations are incurred through unsustainable practices (Porter and van der

Linde, 2012). Collectively, all of our efforts will make a real impact. As we

move forward, we can all continue in our resolutions for the new millennium

ensuring that no one is left behind in a safer, happier future. Successful

businesses require a healthy society, since education, health care, and equal

opportunities are fundamental for a productive workforce (Porter and Kramer,

2016, Chouinard, Ellison, and Ridgeway, 2012).

 60

The Insights of the Lived Experiences of the Financial Plight of the

Street Food Vendors

The participants have shared their insights as street food vendors who

have experienced different challenges. The insights are creating a path to

self-actualization, implementing effective discipline, building around the

challenges, and enthusiasm to embrace changes.

Creating a Path to Self-actualization is one of the predominant insights

from the respondents. The challenges that street food vendors experience are

incredibly beneficial in terms of their personal growth, development, and

progress. In some way or another, these experiences are interpreted as

having taught us something about ourselves and the world. As humans are

inherently relational creatures, involuntary solitude may open up greater

opportunities for individuals to experience an existential vacuum (Weinstein et

al., 2012). Without strong relationships in place, or the capacity to build them,

the sense of aloneness can become unbearable. Those who do have such

strong relationships with others, or with greater things, likely have less cause

for concern. People with stronger relationships tend to weather involuntary

solitude better (Pauly et al., 2018), as do those who have built a healthy

relationship with solitude itself, by being more likely to seek it out (Lay et al.,

2019).

Another predominant insight is the Implementing Effective Discipline.

Discipline is the key to success. Discipline should be handled impersonally.

With self-discipline almost everything is possible. Self-discipline is an inner

power that distinguishes humans from other creatures and differentiates

people from each other (McGonigal, 2012). Self-discipline makes anyone

 61

realize what is required in their daily lives. Discipline can be positively related

to performance. Self-discipline is one of the sources of motivation and a skill

that enables the person to delay their temptations and determine their

priorities in reaching their goals in the long run (de Ridder, Van der Weiden,

Gillebaart, Benjamins, & Ybema, 2019; Laran, 2020). It is the bridge between

goals and accomplishment. And with that, we should start self-discipline in

proper waste disposal. According to Iyyanki Muralikrishna and Valli Manickam

from ResearchGate (December 2017), “Without an effective and efficient

waste management program, the waste generated from various human

activities, both industrial and domestic, can result in health hazards and hurt

the environment.”. An effective and efficient waste management program is a

way for an area to have a clean and safe environment.

Another major insight from the respondents is the Built Around the

Challenges. The different challenges experienced by the street food vendors

have led to their different realizations and insights from their daily lives. Lay et

al. (2019) also found that greater social self-efficacy was another good

predictor of positive experiences of solitude. Given the importance of

meaningfulness for human motivation and well-being (Steger, 2012), and

given the fact that in modern times work has become one of the key domains

from which people derive meaningfulness (Baumeister, 2012; Steger and Dik,

2012). Different people attach different meanings to their work. Some might

see it as a mere means of getting a paycheck, while others see it as a game

of status and promotions leading to a successful career. Still, others view their

work as a calling, the work being its fulfillment. People aren't always what you

want them to be. Sometimes they disappoint you or let you down, but you
 62

have to give them a chance first. You can't just meet someone and expect

them to be everything you're looking for and then be angry when they're not

every hope and aspiration you projected onto them. It's foolish to believe that

someone will be what you imagine them to be. And sometimes, when you

give them a chance, they turn out to be better than you imagined. Different,

but better. The experiences that we may reject because we think they aren't

the correct experience may be made up of the same peace, joy, and love we

are hoping to have. We think of this world as a world of opposites, or dualities.

But if we look more closely, we find that the so-called opposites are just

different amounts of one thing.

Enthusiasm to Embrace Changes. is another predominant insight. The

researchers felt from the respondents the acquiescence to become better as

an individual, as a street food vendor. Claiming changes also means being

more creative and innovative as street food vendors. Enthusiasm is one of the

factors in work engagement, or it can be merely a form of work engagement

(Hakanen, Bakker, & Schaufeli, 2012). Kunter and Holzberg (2014) have

defined engagement as positive affective motivational fulfillment, which

includes the aspect of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is a personal experience of

feeling energetic and inspired at work (Barsade & Gibson, 2012). Enthusiasm

manifested as positive emotions and joy at work. Positive personality and

opportunities to use one’s strengths at work support well-being, good job

performance, work drive, dedication, and the willingness to develop skills and

expertise. By focusing on resources and strengths, as well as on the mutual

understanding of everyone’s role in maintaining a positive workplace

 63

atmosphere, it is possible to maintain work engagement and enthusiasm even

in the face of external demands and pressures for change.

IMPLICATIONS

Implications Lived Experiences of the Financial Plight of the Street Food

Vendors

This study was undertaken to empirically evaluate the operations of

street food vendors and their impact on sustainable living. This study was

specifically carried out to examine the emergence of street food vendors,

determine the socioeconomic impact, examine the nature and problems

affecting their operations, and investigate the overall impact of street food

vendors on sustainable living in the area. It examines the perceptions of street

food vendors in light of the current and planned regulatory policies regarding

authorized vending areas, vendor licensing, and sanitation and food safety

standards.

Inadequacy in Terms of Capital. This study found that the income of the

street food vendors has increased with the increase in the level of education.

It means that educated respondents have many ideas about business; they

know how to deal with their customers as well as which item is the best for

sale to generate income. Investment and labor supply are other important

variables that play a significant role to generate street food vendors’ income.

Globally, an increase in investment and labor supply increased the income of

respondents. As a state, street foods represent a significant part of urban food

consumption for millions of low-and-middle-income consumers in urban areas

daily; and Provincially, street foods may be the least expensive and most
 64

accessible means of obtaining a nutritionally balanced meal outside the home

for many low-income people.

Existence of unwanted behavioral deeds. People will unconsciously

carry harmful habits about with them, habits that prevent them from having

great relationships, advancing in their careers, and simply enjoying life. Most

of us, especially in our intimate relationships, do a few things that irritate

others. The many experiences of street food sellers, particularly their

obnoxious attitude toward their consumers. Around the world, people tend to

have this certain attitude but as they grow in their ways they also tend to

change for good. Nationally, some street food vendors tolerate this kind of

attitude due to the unpleasant attitudes of their clients. Locally, street food

vendors don’t intervene too much with their clients for them to have a good

record which means, a good record, good clients, and good clients leads to

more buyers and more buyers which leads them to more income.

Health Safety Restrictions. Being a street seller is challenging.

Everywhere, especially in the present pandemic crisis, health safety

restrictions are essential not just in the people but also in the foods, and they

have been established specifically for all street food vendors. Globally, it is

recognized that street-food vendors are often poor and uneducated and lack

an appreciation for safe food handling. Consequently, street foods are

perceived to be a major public health risk. National, Vendors should employ

cleaning procedures that ensure that vending units, equipment, and utensils

are properly clean. Where sanitizing is required to control hazards, vendors

should be educated regarding adequate steps and encouraged to adopt a

suitable cleaning and sanitizing program that is also needed locally.

 65

The Convenience of Access to People. This will relieve the stress of

any client seeking ready-to-eat items at a low cost. The following are the hard

and rewarding experiences gleaned from the participants' answers from their

clients. Globally, Street food not only provides convenience for many people

but is also the livelihood for millions of low-income people, making a great

contribution to the economy of many developing countries. The relevance of

the street food sector in the national economy has been emphasized since

some individuals cannot afford pricey cuisine. Nonetheless, locals claim that

there are more positives in the street food selling industry, claiming that not

only is it easy for people to buy, but it also provides much-needed jobs,

particularly during the current crisis.

Implications on Coping Mechanisms of the Financial Plight of the Street

Food Vendors

Mature Viewpoint. Bad things happen but due to their mature views,

but still they survive and cope with the challenges they encounter.

Internationally, they can provide opportunities to critically examine

development that are significant to both the world at large and their own lives.

Nationally, engaging with different perspectives and national views requires

individuals to examine the origins and implications of others’ and their

assumptions. Locally, as individuals acquire knowledge about other cultures’

histories, values, communication styles, beliefs, and practices, they acquire

the means to recognize that their perspectives and behaviors are shaped by

multiple influences, and that they are not always fully aware of these
 66

influences, and that others have views of the world that are profoundly

different from their own.

Meeting with Technique and Interventions Financial Adversity. You're

having trouble paying your expenses and loan and debt repayments when

they're due. Internationally, they may discover a way out of the financial

quagmire, reduce stress, and recover control of their finances by confronting

their money difficulties head-on. Nationally, they are often reassured by

descriptions of the concrete details of what will happen to their belongings and

their routines (e.g. where their bed will be, who will make their dinner, and the

fact that their special bear is certainly coming along). Locally, we found that

respondents with better location-specific income security were less likely to

experience hardship and that financial knowledge strengthened the negative

association between income security and hardship.

Goals for Sustainable Development. It is which includes eradicating

poverty and hunger, improving human well-being, and protecting the

environment. International, Contrary to common opinion, living sustainably

does not need you to live in poverty; it merely requires you to be aware of

your resource usage and to reduce superfluous items. Nationally, thus, the

implementation of the SDGs can highly vary at the national and local levels

and therefore, in-depth studies on how international policies, are interpreted

and implemented are needed. Locally, Although education, health care, and

equitable opportunities are essential for a productive workforce, successful

companies demand a healthy society.

Implications Lived on Insights of the Financial Plight of the Street Food

Vendors
 67

One of the fascinating aspects of present-day urban social life around

the world is the widespread presence of street vendors. Street vending is an

activity that employs many poor individuals as their source of daily income.

However, as the pandemic has exacerbated the daily struggle of many

vendors has already started most street vendors cannot afford to put food on

their tables after a few days of not working because they do not have savings

or any safety net to rely on. This research can add to the field of literature

about the experiences of the street food vendors in terms of their challenges,

difficulties, ordeals, success, happiness, and frustrating experiences where

they are prohibited from selling on the streets, robbing them of their primary

source of income.

Creating a Path to Self-Actualization. Only you can determine what

self-actualization means for you, but we’ve got the info to help you get the ball

rolling and make the process feel less daunting. Urban population growth has

stimulated a rise in the number of street food vendors in many cities

throughout the world, and migration from rural areas to urban centers has

created a daily need among many working people to eat outside the home

demand for relatively inexpensive, ready-to-eat food has increased as people,

especially women, have less time to prepare meals. Humans are typically

motivated to satisfy their lower deficiency needs before embarking on their

higher growth needs, though he admitted that there were exceptions street

foods often reflect traditional local cultures and exist in an endless variety.

Furthermore, availability and accessibility rather than individual income or

stage of national development seem to determine street food consumption

patterns.
 68

Implementing Effective Discipline. Everything in our life, starting from

being on time to school, and completing our daily tasks, to sticking to our

values, is based on discipline. It is a basic need of our life to maintain and

move towards success. In today’s life, discipline is more important in our

normal life rather than in soldiers because an undisciplined action can destroy

our whole life. Discipline is a fundamental part of our everyday life.

Implementing effective discipline is necessary for every field of our

international, national and local context. Significantly impacted global

economic conditions, causing significant economic downturns, herd mentality

behaviors, changes to the discretionary consumer needs, and the impact of

global media on these behaviors. Greater attention to local needs, buy-in, and

clarity for implementation is key. Another approach is the perceptions of street

vendors by linking vendors to consumers, and by highlighting their

contribution to subsidizing a section of the urban poor.

Built Around the Challenges. During this time of the pandemic, the

respondents shared that they have gathered realizations from their

experiences in the field of street vending. They espoused that the good and

bad experiences they encountered made a huge difference in their lives,

especially as street food vendors. Street food vendors are a global

phenomenon in the developing world and can be seen hawking their wares in

carts, bicycles, or motorcycles. Nationally, many people prefer to make

frequent small purchases at convenient locations. Furthermore, street foods

often reflect traditional local cultures and offer a unique cultural experience to

tourists and even to ordinary consumers.

 69

Enthusiasm to Embrace Changes. The very nature of innovation

involves taking risks, making bets, and hedging between successes and

failures. In the complex and ambiguous world of development and

humanitarian work, trial and error become even more important, as a means

of enabling learning and improvement. Promoting creative capabilities in the

national economy has become a critical way to maintain competitive

advantages. Moreover, accountability concerns have led innovation for

development work to focus less on active and intelligent risk management of

this kind and more on risk minimization in society.

RECOMMENDATIONS

● Every street food vendor or food handler should undergo basic training

in food hygiene, food laws, and financial matters. This is to ensure that they

follow the required rules for proper hygiene and sanitation. Credit facilities

should be made available to make an initial investment and for further

investments. None of the street food vendors is aware of the act passed by

the government to protect their rights aninterestsst of them and so they should

be made aware of such an act in this regard awareness campaigns should be

carried out through radio, and television, poster, etc. The vendors should

extend their business to those areas where people can easily get it and the

vendors can boost their income. The Local Government Unit is one of the

beneficiaries that can help our street food vendors; just by giving them the

privileges to sell in any public place, upgrading their stalls, and giving them a

voice in the higher court to accompany their problems and opinions in the

society. Hearing and Implementing their great opinions would be a great help
 70

to them, especially to their daily profit. Because we researchers believe that a

great and effective policy will give a smile to our food traders.

● Having a street food vending business somewhat signifies greasy,

polluted, and contaminated where other people don't trash their garbage

properly and do not observe social distancing It is recommended that the

Place need regularly updated and checked by the Department of Health to

ensure safety and cleanliness in the said place. The researchers

recommended that the WHO (World Health Organization) should look at

developing a standardized tool that could be used to evaluate the keys to

safer foods such that studies such as these can have a general basis of

comparison as it was difficult to be able to compare the findings of this study

with other work done in the street food vending enhance their stall for them to

have a beautiful appearance This study shows that there’s a need for

additional research in the arena of street food vendors and the possible risks

they may pose about food safety.

● The researchers suggest that street food vendors should get a

business permit before establishing a business and legally selling goods to

avoid complications with the local officers and the municipal body. Street food

is a significant part of urban food consumption for millions of low and

middle-income consumers in urban areas daily. This study results can help

them to speak out and report if they are experiencing unfairness and

harassment being a street vendor since there is an established House Bill No.

4978. Since they are not the only street vendors who are experiencing these

circumstances.
 71

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