Under the Liloan Sun: Exploring the Life Worlds of Local Mobile Stall Vendors
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56778/rss.v1i3.692Keywords:
Mobile Stall Vendors, Lived Experiences, Life Worlds, PhenomenologyAbstract
This study explored the lived experiences and lifeworlds of mobile stall vendors in Liloan, Cebu, Philippines, aiming to provide a deeper understanding of their daily routines, operational challenges, and coping strategies within the contemporary socio-economic landscape of 2026. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed to capture the richness, depth, and subjective meanings that these vendors attribute to their daily survival and business operations. Utilizing purposive sampling, ten (10) mobile stall vendors were selected based on structural criteria, including their operational longevity and the diversity of goods sold, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the vending sector. The thematic analysis revealed four interconnected themes: economic drivers and adaptive livelihood strategies, intricate logistical and regulatory challenges, robust social connections with customers and peers, and tactical adaptations to local environmental and dynamic market conditions. These findings highlight the complex socio-economic realities of informal sector workers, who constantly negotiate municipal regulations while leveraging informal social safety nets to sustain their enterprises. Ultimately, this study underscores the resilience of mobile vendors and provides critical empirical insights for the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Liloan to formulate inclusive urban development policies, social protection frameworks, and formal recognitions that integrate these grassroots entrepreneurs into the local economic ecosystem.
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