Street vendors note declining sales

CEBU, Philippines - Vendors in downtown Cebu have noted a decline in their sales since the month of March has started.

“Mingaw jud basta Marso ug Abril. Siyempre, tingbayad sa skwelahan unya padung pa jud bakasyon,” Raquel Aldave, a sari-sari street vendor, said.

Aldave has spent 22 years of her life selling assorted items such as candies, cigarettes, rags, bags, combs, wallets, accessories and others.

With P1500 as her daily income, she budgets her money for her family expenses, children’s school requirements and capital for her small business.

“Kutob ra jud ko aning paninda. Mao ra may makaya. Ang ako lang makatiwas ang akong mga anak,” she added.

Aldave also sells dressed chicken to her neighbors to augment her income.  

Meanwhile, Marisa Tañedo, a 39-year old fruit vendor, reveals that nowadays, watermelon generates more sales compared to apples and oranges.

“Mas kusog ang halin sa watermelon kay summer na man. Gi-uhaw ang mga tawo. Pero nihinay gyud sa apple ug ponkan. Labi na karon, daghan ra malata. Ilabay na lang hinuon,” she lamented.

With her one peso profit from each fruit, Tañedo also said that from P500-600 daily income before, it has now decreased to P300-400.

Another vendor, Janet Belecario, admits that of all her products sold along the street, softdrinks are a hit with the public.

“Pinakakusog gyud ang softdrinks. Mas halin pa gane kaysa tubig. Kay ang uban, mas mopili na lang og palit sa kanang gisuroy. Pero nihinay gyud ang among halin karon,” she told The Freeman. 

She added that the Gaisano South blaze had also affected their sales since people fear the building might collapse.

Aside from experiencing a decline in sales this summer, downtown vendors admitted that theft and burglary normally occur in the streets but they are already used to it since they are located in the downtown area. — (FREEMAN)