Living Inside the Cocoon: Lived Experiences of the Informal Sector In La Trinidad, Benguet During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The pandemic has created a serious impact to our society. It has taken thousands of lives, has strained our resources and has wielded stress to all sectors of the society. The lockdowns and restrictions of movements to contain the virus is mainly disadvantageous to people living in poverty and the indigenous people including the informal sector. This study sought to explore the lived experiences of the informal sector in La Trinidad, Benguet during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is a qualitative research with descriptive phenomenological study design. There were 12 participants and all consented for an audio recorded interview conducted in La Trinidad, Benguet. They were assigned pseudonyms and confidentiality of acquired data was ensured. Modified Van Kaam Method was utilized to analyze the data.

The pandemic made a great impact on the financial, social and mental aspects of the people. They work every day to have money to provide for their families. But during the pandemic, their work got interrupted and they got isolated. People were not allowed to go out so they lost their means of finding money. They’ve searched for ways so they can survive this pandemic. They opted for alternatives in finding money and food. From these experiences, they have learned and realized more about life. The healthcare team can use this as basis in providing information about taking care of our well-being in the midst of a disaster and to educate people on proper home remedies. To future researchers, this study may be a basis to further learn about the experiences of the informal sectors who lives away from their family during the disaster or experiences of the informal sector who, at the same time, is a part of the Persons with Special Needs community.