Vendors had heyday in Palace grounds

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s initiative to open Malacañang grounds helped street food vendors earn three times more than on average.

Josephine Cortez and Helen Caranto were among the several vendors who were given the opportunity to sell their products inside the Philippine President’s official residence in Manila for eight nights until Christmas Day.

The President opened an area in Malacañang Palace to the public for the traditional Simbang Gabi and viewing of the giant Christmas tree from 17 to 24 December 2022.

Through barangay officials, Marcos invited small business owners to sell food and drinks to people who visit the Palace — fishball, balut, siomai, soda, coffee and siopao.

Vendors said they did not need to pay for their stalls and can take home everything they earned.

Josephine, a 38-year-old street vendor for 12 years, told the Daily Tribune that President’s project helped her earn three times more than what she usually earns on the streets of Manila.

“Triple po ang nabebenta naming paninda dito kumpara sa nabebenta namin sa labas (We earned three times more than our usual sales outside),” she said in an interview.

Josephine sells steamed siomai and coffee with her husband and son.

“It’s a big help to us, especially for the residents living around Malacañang. I thank President Bongbong Marcos for allowing us to put up a stall inside the Palace,” she said.

“He helps my family so much through this project.”

The same is also true for Helen, 57, who sells fishball,

kikiam, kwek-kwek and other street food since 1989.

“We cannot earn from the streets what we earn here inside Malacañang. This initiative really helps us,” Helen told the Daily Tribune.

For 33 years, Helen has been selling street food near San Beda University along Mendiola Street in Manila.

“It’s a really big help for us. Thanks to the President, we are grateful because he gave us the opportunity to sell here in Malacañang,” she said.

“We are not being charged here, so we can take home regardless of how much we earn,” she added.

More than 21,000 Filipinos flocked to Malacañang from 17 to 24 December to attend the Simbang Gabi

and view the Palace Christmas tree at the Kalayaan grounds.

The Office of the Press Secretary said 2,895 attended Simbang Gabi, with many churchgoers observing the tradition and asking for blessings after two years of intermittent lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a report from the Presidential Security Group, 14,988 Filipinos visited the “Pailaw sa Kalayaan”

from 18 to 24 December.

Marcos made a surprise visit after the mass ended on Christmas Eve, where he waved to visitors enjoying the free delicacies such as puto

and hot