Abstract:
A sari-sari store is a socio-economic institution that has the greatest numerical presence
in the neighborhoods of the Philippine community. Filipino mothers as their owners have
become apparent because of how it allows them to earn money while attending to their domestic
chores. In that case, women account for a major portion of the informal economy. This
qualitative study then aims to answer the following research questions: (1) How did gender gaps
in labor and employment crises in the country influence the prevalence of Filipino women in the
informal economy, particularly as sari-sari store owners?; (2) What are the impacts of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Filipino women as sari-sari store owners and as mothers?;
(3) How did Filipinos mothers with sari-sari stores balance the competing work-family demands
created by the COVID-19 pandemic?; and (4) How did the government programs or
interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic assist the Filipino mothers with sari-sari stores as
their primary source of livelihood?. A thematic analysis was utilized where thirteen themes were
identified across the research questions and in accordance with the Feminist Standpoint Theory.
The results showed that women established their sari-sari stores because their household income
was insufficient and they needed to take care of their children. The pandemic produced multiple
burdens on them because of their increased duties. Despite this, women were still able to balance
their duties. The participants were not aided by any government policies and programs but they
believe the assistance of the government is necessary to sustain their businesses. Thus, these
findings may aid the policymakers in the employment sector in designing policies and programs
that particularly address the needs of women, especially those who are sari-sari store owners.
