Namamasyal pa sa Luneta, nang walang pera: a case study on Formalized street vendors under the park trading policy in Rizal Park, Manila

Abstract

Amidst the proliferation of clearing operations targeting street vendors in the Philippines, conversations are held academically and legislatively on street vending reforms that can facilitate the integration of informal street vendors into formal industries. While most formalization strategies bank on the effectiveness of providing land and rights to sell, it is critical to determine concrete factors that can encourage positive reception and facilitate livelihood development. Hence, using Healey’s Collaborative Planning Model (2007), this case study explores the design and implementation of the NPDC’s Park Trading Policy in Rizal Park. Specifically, the study examines the NPDC-Vendors relationship, the vendors' evaluation, and the vendors' daily livelihood operations under the policy. A thematic analysis was conducted from data gathered through individual and dyadic semi-structured interviews with two NPDC representatives and five park vendors. Findings show that, while there are disagreeable points, the vendors favor the policy due to the increased capacity to earn and decreased work stress. Notably, their reception towards individual policy guidelines is influenced by visibility, preservation of street vending characteristics, and legitimization of their formal status. However, while productive, the NPDC-Vendor relationship is only consultative, thus maintaining power imbalance and restricting vendors to reactor roles. Nonetheless, their memberships in registered associations elevated their level of empowerment making their status conducive to the incorporation of participatory communication mechanisms. Thus, the researcher recommends increasing government or NGO efforts to assist in the registration of informal vendor groups. Supported by the vendors’ evaluation, the study also recommends the adaption of the Park Trading Policy especially in tourist zones or prime street vending spots. Future studies about street vending may consider applying evaluative quantitative designs for existing formalization policies, or comparative research between informal and formal vendor experiences.