The City of Makati in Metro Manila is the country’s
premiere business and financial district where 40% of the
top 1000 corporations in the country are located. Makati
thus easily became the target of unemployed individuals
including a growing number of urban poor who lack the education
and skills to secure permanent jobs. Because of the low
capital and labor skill requirements, these urban poor end
up vending food in the streets, catering to the low income
bracket individuals employed within the various offices
in the city.
Over time, the activities of these food vendors became
a liability to Makati. Their activities did not comply with
an ordinance issued by the Metro Manila Development Authority
which prohibits hawkers in the sidewalks of Metro Manila,
and were therefore considered illegal. The unregulated proliferation
of the vendors also caused obstruction in traffic flow.
More importantly, food handling and sanitation became a
major concern.
As a result, the Makati City government created a
standardized and well-regulated vendors sector. The vendors
were given the security of their business operations, permits,
and stalls provided that they follow the operation guidelines
set by the LGUs. Additionally, these vendors were required
to undergo immunization tests and secure health certificates
from the city’s health department. Drinks were also
standardized as soft drink companies were allowed to become
the exclusive suppliers of these vendors, with investment
reaching over Php10M.
Customers gain from the convenience of affordable
and sanitary food, paying only Php25-30 on the average for
a complete meal. Similarly, the vendors also benefited much
from this program. As of November 1998, a total of 748 unemployed
constituents were provided with standard food stalls to
help augment their income and instill the value of self-reliance.
Moreover, the 23 independent local vendors associations
banded together to form the Makati Vendors Federation Incorporated.
At present, the federation organizes its own activities
to continue benefiting its member vendors.
The City of Makati is the country’s premier
business and financial center where 40% of the top 1000
corporations are situated. It attracted a growing number
of urban poor who lack the education and skills to secure
permanent jobs. With low capital needs and not much needed
skills, majority of these urban poor resorted to vending
food in the streets. They catered to low income bracket
individuals employed within the various offices in the city.
Prior to the implementation of the program in 1992, activities
of the vendors are in total disarray. The proliferation
of the vendors caused the obstruction of traffic flow. Most
significantly, food handling and sanitation left much to
be desired. In fact, their business is illegal because the
Metro Manila Development Authority has an ordinance prohibiting
hawkers in the sidewalks of Metro Manila. Makati City did
not enforce the directive because of its adverse socio-economic
impact on the vendors.
The Makati city government opted for a well-regulated
vendors sector. They were given the security of their business
locations, permits and stalls provided that they will follow
the guidelines of the LGU. They must undergo immunization
and secure health certificates from the city’s health
department. Vendors are required to wear uniforms (white
t-shirt with collar, aprons and caps). Soft drink companies
invested over Php 10 million on the stalls to get their
return of investments by being the exclusive suppliers of
drinks in the stalls. On the other hand, customers benefit
from the accessible, affordable and sanitary food. A complete
meal is only Php 25 to 30 on the average. Vendors usually
earn Php 200 to Php 1,000 per day. As of November 1998,
a total of 748 unemployed constituents were provided with
standard foodstalls to augment their income and instill
the value of self-reliance. There are also 23 local vendors
association that led to the formal organization of the Makati
Vendors Federation Incorporated. The federation organizes
their own activities to benefit their own sector.
