Resiliency of the Informal Economy Amidst the Pandemic in CARAGA Region: A Case Study

Abstract: The informal economy refers to all economic activities carried out by informal sector and informal workers that, either legally or practically, are not covered or partially covered by formal agreements, exists not just in the Philippines but also in other countries. Its business and economic transactions are not taxed neither registered with the government regulating agencies, and its employees are not protected by the legal framework, does not have work contracts, secure work incomes benefits, and social protection. The government enforcement of enhance community quarantine to combat the COVID 19 crisis have laid bare-pre-existing gaps on resiliency of informal economy players in the Caraga region as there was no mitigating measures on what are the ways its people would do to survive. This study aimed to describe the livelihood status and illustrate the resiliency of the informal economy before, at the start, and at the present condition of its members as the basis for an intervention program. A qualitative multiple case study was adapted and used a semi-structured interview guide to gather data which focuses on the resiliency of the 12 key informants who are the members of the informal economy in the Caraga region. The findings of the study revealed that the respondents livelihood status before pandemic was sustainable and there were sufficient alternative means of living; during pandemic, the effects were loss of income or business, unstable alternative job, insufficient income and unavailability of livelihood support from the government; with the recent ease on government restrictions, there were respondents who got their jobs back, however, there were also who did not. The study further revealed these common characteristics manifested by the participants that demonstrated their resiliency were: Problem-Solving Ability, by being able to acknowledge a problem or crisis and able to provide safe solutions; Survivor Mentality, by accepting that the current situation is unavoidable and stretching all the available resources to make ends meet and has lived within means; Resolute Personality, by demonstrating determination and unshakeable hope to stand back up amidst crises; and, Optimism, by demonstrating a positive perspective, forward-looking, hopeful and strong-willed individuals to carry on with the challenges brought by pandemic. Lastly, these distinct qualities had enabled the participants to look for alternative ways and means to cope with the different stresses brought by the crisis and empowered them to become resilient to the potential dangers and adverse effects of the pandemic. Keywords: Resiliency, informal sector, informal workers, pandemic (COVID 19)