"Pangangalakal" as means of living...
By r3jcorp
@r3jcorp (1382)
Philippines
August 17, 2011 1:25am CST
Pangangalakal in the Philippines is a means of living of many Filipino family by collecting or buying garbage (steel, cartoons, plastic, old things, etc.) and selling it to junkshops. Most indigent families are doing this just to have something to eat for a day. The sad facts here, it is a very risky and dangerous job especially that it was also done by women and children. They could go around the neighborhood or may find it in mountains of garbage without any safety gears like boots, globes or proper attire. A few months back, a teenaged father was drowned in a river who tried to earn a living amidst the typhoon because he needs money for his teenaged wife who give birth to a dead infant.
People who are doing this earns very small amount which maybe enough only to buy a kilo of rice but the middlemen in this trading could earn big and become wealthy in the future. It is very sad that the poor people are always being used by the wiser and wealthier people.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
17 Aug 11
I'm torn between the devil and deep blue see on this. It's more noble to make a living out of garbage than to earn big using illegal means. I think there are success stories but those are few and in between. Most of those who make a living in the dump are among the poorest of the poor. They look so pitiful trying to make a living with their bare hands literally. But looking at it on a different perspective, I can't help but blame them for their predicament as it is mostly of their own doing. I mostly blame the parents and their parent's parents. The problem is there are people who can hardly feed themselves and yet they're the ones who keep making children oblivious of what the future holds for all of them and then later blames the government for their fate.
@mantis36 (4219)
• Philippines
17 Aug 11
but the true situations is:
that you became more success in business sooner if there is something illegal in your business
for example:
1. Not declaring the correct amount of sales for the city hall business permit
2. Almost all of the City Mall workers receives only a minimum level of salary wages good only for 1 child but a lot of RAMADAN and GOOD FRIDAY LENT SEASON to budget meals, to eat only 2 times a day... how about if you have 3 kids?
3. etc....
you said:
"I mostly blame the parents and their parent's parents. The problem is there are people who can hardly feed themselves and yet they're the ones who keep making children oblivious of what the future holds for all of them and then later blames the government for their fate."
VERY TRUE,
as a small mistake, to carry it in a lifetime living on this world...
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
18 Aug 11
We are all connected. The rich need the poor as much as the poor need the rich. It's just a matter of how a poor person strives to rise in the poverty that he is in to make it to the rich list. Same goes that the rich have to strive to remain where he is at otherwise he will become poor. If a poor person realizes that he's poor then he should do everything he can to get out of that poverty but what most do is they accept the fact and learn to live with it, which is fine since that is his choice but to bear children and make them suffer along with them is cruelty.
@zerd87 (301)
• Philippines
17 Aug 11
Here in my country, it is one of the livelihood of poorest sector of the society. I hope that the government will help all of them. A good job is important but as of now, you are lucky if you get a job. anyway it is not a bad job. It is a risky job for the individual.
@exkrima (291)
• Philippines
17 Aug 11
Most Filipinos did not know about financial literacy that is why there is high percentage of poverty here in the philippines. But nothing we can do unless they are willing to escape their destiny. If they have a will they can do it and learn from it. unfortunately, they are tied in doing what they only knew and trap there for the rest of their lives.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
17 Aug 11
This is true, but recycling industry is a good help for our environment.
Without those people doing this business, can you imagine what will happen to our country and where are we going to dump all those garbage and wastes.
have a good day 
jaiho®
jaiho®
@shellani (61)
• Philippines
17 Aug 11
I really have this soft heart to those people who are inclined with collecting trashes.
I've seen so many young kids, who should be studying in elementary, but in order to live, "nangangalakal sila". On the nega side, sometimes they do not ask for permission to a home owner, collecting glass and plastic bottles under their lot. It turned out to be "stealing,loitering" something like that. (this just happened in our home, last Sunday).
Do you know how much they earn? 1 emperador long-neck when sell to a junk shop is P2. Very very cheap!
Another fact. I am living near the relocation area of those affected by typhoon Ondoy. Children ages 5-10 sell fresh fruits and vegetables, walking around our village. I wonder what will they it if they can sell it.
I also wonder why our government can't accommodate them and find time helping these poor ones instead of creating establishments, construction of roads and putting up a tarpaulin with "A priority project of blah blah blah" with their images so Big.
It is a Child Labor. However, they have no choice, it's the only way to survive. If only I am super rich, I'll put up a school for them and a business where their parents can work.. Haaaaaay...
