Everywhere we look, on every side of the road, street vendors are to be seen in the Philippines. Street vending provides livelihood for those who have few employment options. They have been around for ages, contributing to the overall Local Economy of the Philippines. They feed thousands of families and provide goods and services to the community. However, their voices have always been screaming for change, and unfortunately, until today, they have been unheard and seen as a hindrance.

 

 

 

 

Philippine Star | Facebook

Street vendors and the authorities tend to play hide-and-seek in the sidewalks of the Philippines. Street vendors run and hide along with their products as authorities approach them attempting to confiscate it due to their lack of permits. Some even put wheels on their cart as this situation became a normal everyday thing. This became a cycle putting them at risk of harassment. Despite the tiring and scary situations they have to face everyday, they can never be stopped, they still continue even with being aware of the possible outcomes they might encounter. According to the interview conducted by KBYN, (KBYN: Street food vendors nagkuwento sa mga hinaharap na hamon | TeleRadyo - YouTube), one vendor stated that they can not afford to miss a single day without street vending as every cent is important to afford their everyday needs. 

Local government and authorities continue to do this yet they never diminish. They confiscate their products, and according to the same interview provided, sometimes never return it at all. In local government and development plans, the needs of street vendors are often disregarded. It has been visible and evident that these policies that have been there for a long time are just not enough. Street vendors deserve much more support from all sectors of society. Local government authorities have the power to enact these changes, and we, the people, have the power to grant them the dream they have been eager to achieve - to be heard and to be supported. 

There should be expanded regulations, regulatory reforms to licensing and policy frameworks to be more inclusive and supportive of street vendors, rather than criminalizing their activities. As Alice Murphy from Urban Poor Associate (NGO) stated in the Investigative Documentary of GMA news "Ano 'yung problema? And then gumawa ng solusyon na makakatulong sa bawat isa, hindi ‘yung basta mo na lang aalisin. Kasi pwede naman na mag-talaga ng lugar kung saan sila pwede magtinda" - “ Ask, what’s the problem? Then, create a possible and humane solution that might help them instead of just casually evicting them. If it’s possible to assign a place they can actually stay on, then why not?” The rights of these street vendors, therefore, need to be brought to the forefront. They deserve access to affordable permits, protection from eviction, and recognition for their contribution to the economy. It's time to give voice to their struggles and advocate for their rights.

It is time to end this cycle, and YOU can end this cycle. It is time to make change, and YOU can make change. If advocacy efforts succeed, street vendors would gain greater legal protections, access to social services, and a stronger voice in shaping policies that affect their livelihoods. This could significantly improve their quality of life and economic security. However, if advocacy efforts fail, street vendors would continue to face harassment, evictions, and the constant threat of losing their means of earning a living. This would perpetuate the cycle of poverty and marginalization for this vulnerable group.

An unjust law is no law at all. Hear and amplify street vendors’ voices. Break the cycle. Make change. Sign this petition

LEARN MORE!:

Investigative Documentaries: Permit sa pagtitinda, nakatulong ba sa mga street vendor?

KBYN: Street food vendors nagkuwento sa mga hinaharap na hamon | TeleRadyo

Setting street vendors’ rights