Central Mindanao University, Poblacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur, Philippines

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted global livelihoods, with informal workers particularly fruit and vegetable vendors. More than a health crisis, COVID-19 has triggered severe economic instability, exposing the precarity of those dependent on daily earnings. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of fruit and vegetable vendors in the Philippines, focusing on the challenges they faced, the coping strategies they employed, and the forms of social support they received during the pandemic. Employing a phenomenological design, the study engaged sixteen purposively selected participants (12 females and 4 males) through in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis revealed key challenges, including difficulty repaying debts, disrupted supply chains due to travel restrictions, and limited storage for perishable goods. Despite these hardships, vendors demonstrated adaptability through strategies such as online selling, peddling, resourcefulness by utilizing leftover fruits and vegetables, and self-motivation. Social support included emergency subsidies from the Department of Social Welfare and Development and aid from local government units, though these were insufficient to meet sustained household needs. The findings underscore the relevance of Bibb Latané’s Social Impact Theory in understanding how external crises shape economic behavior and social resilience. This study contributes to the broader sociological discourse on informal economies and provides insights for inclusive, equity-driven policy responses during public health emergencies.