Alternative Sources of Income of Employees from the Foodservice Industry in Puerto Princesa City During Pandemic

Abstract

The overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on company sales, notably in the restaurant industry, compelled employers of various foodservice companies to change their business models, resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs in the Philippines. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain alternative sources of income for foodservice industry personnel in Puerto Princesa City during the pandemic. A descriptive correlational research design was adopted in this study. Following pretesting, the researchers individually administered the self-created questionnaire to available personnel at the city's most popular restaurants. For those who were not there at the time, a link to Google Forms was also supplied. The survey form was completed by 135 participants. The findings indicated that 41.5 percent of respondents lacked alternative income sources due to their membership in the skeletal workforce or their reliance on help from their employers, private businesses, and both national and local government units. Meanwhile, employees who used online business as a supplement to their income during ECQ earned an average of 2,206.37 pesos per month. Their initial capital came from savings and their 13th-month pay of 2,992.21 pesos. Additionally, the study discovered that the respondent's age, spouse's salary, and job title/position were significantly related to the amount of alternative income earned. Furthermore, while more restaurant employees engaged in entrepreneurial ventures during ECQ than those employed in hotel foodservice outlets, there is no statistically significant difference in terms of alternative income earned.