Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has put forward a legislative measure aimed at strengthening the protection and recognition of informal ambulant vendors, highlighting their vital contribution to the Philippine economy.
On July 9, de Lima introduced House Bill No. 10043, which seeks to establish a Magna Carta of Informal Vendors. The proposed law intends to defend the rights of street traders while simultaneously ensuring public welfare, consumer rights, and health and safety standards.
The draft legislation acknowledges that street vending functions as a vital lifeline for numerous Filipinos who lack access to formal employment, financial assets, and alternative income streams.
”For many Filipinos, particularly those with limited access to formal employment, capital, and other livelihood opportunities, ambulant vending remains a primary means of supporting themselves and their families,” the bill read.
De Lima emphasized the daily struggles of informal vendors, characterizing them as some of the most prominent yet highly exposed laborers within the nation’s informal workforce.
“Informal ambulant vendors are among the most visible but least protected workers in the informal economy. Kaakibat ng pagtitinda sa lansangan, parke, palengke at iba pang mga pampublikong lugar para maitaguyod ang pamilya, araw-araw silang nakikipagsapalaran sa kawalan ng katiyakan sa pwesto, puhunan at kita, pati na sa kawalan ng access sa suporta ng gobyerno,” the lawmaker said.
She further noted that these merchants endure immense financial instability because their livelihoods depend solely on daily transactions, which are frequently disrupted by eviction, steep rental rates, and other economic challenges.
“They remain among the most vulnerable workers as they depend entirely on the income they earn each day. May mga pagkakataon na katiting o wala silang kinikita, lalo na kung pinapalayas sila sa pwesto na wala namang lilipatan. Mayroon ding mga namomroblema sa mahal na upa sa pwesto, at nababawasan pa ang kita dahil sa ibinabayad na lagay para payagang makapagtinda. Ang masaklap, may mga araw pang kinukumpiska ang kanilang benta,” de Lima added.
If passed into law, the bill will grant informal vendors cost-free and simplified registration processes, designated selling zones mapped out by local government units (LGUs), and inter-LGU recognition allowing them to conduct business across different jurisdictions.
Additionally, it aims to open up state-backed initiatives, such as social security, healthcare benefits, insurance coverage, and related welfare programs.
The measure also pushes for the creation of Local Inter-Agency Councils. These bodies will be responsible for designating appropriate trading zones, protecting vendor rights, and guaranteeing proper dialogues, due process, and adequate alternative or temporary locations prior to any relocation actions.
De Lima stated that this current legislative push builds upon House Bill No. 11337, which secured approval in the House of Representatives during the 19th Congress, as well as Senate Bill No. 1099 introduced by Senate President Win Gatchalian in the 20th Congress.
She also pointed out that parallel measures have been authored in the current Congress by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Representative Jernie Jett Nisay, AGIMAT Party-list Representative Bryan Revilla, Cavite 2nd District Representative Lani Mercado-Revilla, Cavite 1st District Representative Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III, and Senator Camille Villar.