Socio-economic profile, sales and loan availment practices of market vendors in Buenavista, Guimaras

Abstract

This study was conducted during the whole month of April 2003 in two barangays of Buenavista, Guimaras namely the old Poblacion and the New Poblacion, The aim of the study was to determine the socio-economic profile and describe the sales and loan availment practices of market vendors in Buenavista, Guimaras. Interview method was used to determine the profile and loan availment practices of the market vendors in the two public markets in Buenavista, Guimaras. The result was analyzed by determining the percentages of the answers based on the total population which is 45. The item with the highest percentage represents the situation of the market vendors. Results reveal that most of the vendors are female with ages ranging from 36 to 45 years old. Most of them were able to attend school even at elementary level only. Many of them have their houses built in a lot which they do not own. Their houses were built mostly from semi-permanent materials (half- cement, half wood). The common appliances they have at home are TV, refrigerator, electric fans and many others. Only 40 percent of the vendors observed rest day from tending their stores in the market. The goods they commonly sold are vegetables, grocery items, and fish. Many of the vendors give unrealistic figures while some really refused to answer the question on their income and net income. Most of the vendors claim that they borrow money from different private lenders at 5 to 10 percent interest per month to have an additional capital for their business.