The Working Classes:

A one day encounter

theTouchstolens
touching stories, captured by the lens.
CELEBRATION WITH WORK
Although it is her birthday today-February 18, 69 year-old
Rasi delos Santos from Catugan, Lallo, Cagayan works at
Alacapan Public Market by selling “bennek”- an in season
clam shell of their town to provide for her daily needs. Delos
Santos, whose sons and daughters work abroad prefers
working not to be dependent on them and has to battle with
the daily challenge of living alone.
A FATHER’S SENTIMENT
Trying to budget his money, Edward Almazan, 38, from
Abolog, Allacapan, buys one-fourth kilo of pork for his
family’s lunch on Sunday, February 18. Almazan, who works
as a construction worker struggles with the unstability of his
weekly income considering him having no permanent job. He
believes that the 100-peso increase proposed by the country’s
lawmakers could be of great help for them minimum wage
earners.
 1
I VEND-THERE.
Despite the distance, Eleanor Reyes, 62, from Catugan, Lallo,
prefers being an ambulant vendor at Allacapan Public Market
selling peanuts and other in season foods because of the
strict “No Stall, No Selling” rule of her town. Reyes says that
the local government should consider the sentiments of her
fellow vendors and be given atleast financial assistance to
suffice and regain their lost capital.
 3
2 A VENDOR’S
CALL
Thirty-five years
old Hazel Ramos
from Daan-ili,
Allacapan expedites
her selling of the
limited supply of
fish at the Allacapan
Public Market on a
Sunday, February
18. Hazel expresses
her sentiment on
the unregulated
proliferation of online
and mobile shops
making it unfair
for her and other
stall owners who
diligently pay taxes
and fees.

3
3 NO OTHER
CHOICE.
Although full of
uncertainties, Edwin
Rambuyan, 63, from
Burot, Allacapan is
a shoe repair stall
owner patiently wait
for customers one
Sunday morning,
February 18.
Rambuyan, having
only finished 6th
grade says that the
lack of opportunity
for the poor makes
it difficult for him
to live and strive
to provide for his
family’s needs.
SILENT TALES.
Diverting the boredom and silence of the marketplace, Jhenn
Puerto, 28, of Centro 4 browses her phone while waiting for
customers, one Sunday morning, February 11. According to her,
the unpredictable price hike and rollbacks of fruits and vegetables
forces them to decrease their imports to prevent further losses as
caused by unsold and perished goods.
1 2 MOSTLY EMPTY
Some stalls located
at the upper floor
of Claveria Public
Market are vacant
and closed one
Sunday, February
11, 2024- a
typical scenario
especially during
Sundays. Many of
these stall have
to transfer their
goods downstairs
for their customers’
convenience, since
most prefer to
purchace food
supplies there
rather than to climb
up a high stretched
stairs.

1 APARRI’S TRADE
Mirriam Rondares, 59, from Aparri, Cagayan brings dried
3 DRIED TALES.
Fifty-nine years old
seafoods to sell at the Claveria Public Market on the Sunday, Mirriam Rondares
February 11. According to her, the price hike of goods brought is selling dried
about by the inflation causes mostly losses than gains forcing seafoods at the
them to lend the said goods to local vendors, uncertain of when Claveria Public
will they get paid. Market on a
Sunday, February
11. Rondares, a
resident of Aparri,
Cagayan said that

2 3
she prefers to bring
her goods in the
town because of
lesser competition-
a manifestation
on the lack of
livelihood programs
and support from
the government
for small bussiness
owners like her.
VARIETY LANE.

Vegetables, fruits and other goods are displayed in a street located at the back
part Claveria Public Market on Sunday, February 11. Trapals are set to provide
shade for both vendors and customers protecting them from the heat of the
sun or from the rain. Vendors come from nearby towns within and outside of
the province. While prices, uncontrolably increases and decreases overtime,
vendors are foced to make necessary adjustments for customers conveniences.
According to the narratives of the vendors, they usually experience more losses
than gain. However, their profit on a weekly basis are just enough to provide
for their children’s education and sustain their daily needs. The increased taxes
and fees they have to pay monthly adds up their burden, forcing them to
tighten their belts as well.

As the government is trying to fix its system, vendors also calls those in the
position to look into their situation and help them in their livelihood. The
changing of the government to federalism, according to them should not be
the government’s utmost priority. Instead, the government must atleast listen
to their cries and provide them the assistance they need. As their children
grows, so is their expenses and thus expanding their efforts for their families.