and fresh produce vendor, said.
The government, he added, provided minimal assistance only, and the decrease in the number of residents and guest workers are making things worse.
“There are a few guest workers left here and those are our regular customers,” he said.
With fewer customers during market days, Ada said his remaining option will be to sell his produce to stores and other vendors.
But, he added, a lot of stores are also shutting down.
Ike Concepcion, another fresh produce vendor, said their earnings during the Tuesday and Sabalu markets have decreased compared to the previous years.
“Now I do not know what will happen and what the government will be doing to us,” he added.
He said the Women Infants and Children nutrition program buys local produce, but not all farmers or vendors are eligible.
Other vendors interviewed by this reporter said they no longer expect anything from the government after it failed to fulfill its promises to help them.
“The economy is so down and we are used to the government failing us,” one of them said.
