Inflation : It's impact on microeconomics stability of selected private school canteen vendors in Iloilo City / by Kate Antoinette M. Madrones, Joseph Raphael C. Dofitas, Gunho Chung, Ginia Miarah B. Cervales, & Jurrien Iñigo U. Tenorio.

This study aims to determine the impact of inflation on the microeconomic stability of the private school canteen vendors in the selected private schools here in Iloilo City. Despite the abundance of news and articles about inflation rates, its specific impact on private school vendors in Iloilo City is not reported or known. With this, the researchers aimed to fill this gap by exposing the reality that these vendors faced and on how they implemented strategies in order to combat inflation. This study employed a qualitative approach specifically utilizing a multiple case study research design. Data were collected from the six canteen vendors working in four private schools in Iloilo City through self- administered questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The data gathered were analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns of the vendors' experiences in coping with inflation. The findings revealed that inflation has severely impacted private school canteen vendors since the pandemic. Decreased consumer purchasing power, rising supply costs, forces vendors to innovate, reducing portions, raising prices (while remaining student-friendly), laying off staff, and seeking cheaper alternatives. Pre-pandemic conditions were far more favorable for them, with better working conditions, higher sales, and more affordable prices or high consumer purchasing power. The study recommends government and school intervention, such as fee reductions and small business loans, to alleviate vendors' financial struggles.

300-399