Demographic Characteristics as Determinants of Poverty among Informal Food Vendors (IFV) in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines

Abstract

The paper assessed the socio-demographic profile of informal food vendors and its associated influence on their economic status. The respondents were categorized as poor or non-poor based on their annual per capita income. Information gathered from 200 vendors through direct interview were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, weighted means, percentages, Chi-square test, effect size, and probit regression model. Results showed that the respondents are at their productive age. Most of them are married females who have reached secondary level. The effect size and chi-square test demonstrated a small significant association between household size to the economic status of the vendors respectively. Additionally, Probit analysis revealed that the relationship of household size to the economic status of the vendors was negatively significant. On the other hand, educational attainment was positively significant thus, attaining an additional education or years of training may reduce poverty among informal food vendors. To achieve this, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) could offer entrepreneurial and technical education programs. These initiatives may encompass vocational training, such as food processing and food handling, as well as business management courses focused on areas like product development and marketing, importantly for women.