Vendors and canvassers at the Mactan Shrine SuTuKil area are reporting a sharp drop in income as ASEAN Summit 2026 preparations tighten security and limit visitor flow in the tourism site.
Several vendors said foot traffic has slowed significantly in recent days, cutting their daily earnings and affecting their ability to support their families.
Mark Flores, a canvasser from Barangay Mactan, said business has dropped despite his understanding of the summit preparations underway in Cebu.
“Naapektuhan gyud among panginabuhi sa pagka karon,” Flores said.
Flores, who helps guide customers and promote SuTuKil restaurants, said their earnings depend entirely on the number of diners they bring in.
“Sa SuTuKil anha mi magkuha og sweldo. Sa pagka karon, wala gyuy customer nangaon, so wala sad mi sweldo… pait kaayo,” he said.
He said income has fallen from around P700 per day to less than P200, leaving many workers struggling during the summit period.
Flores added that he has turned to fishing to help provide food for his four children.
“Bisan pagkaon lang, mao ra gyud tawn na among hangyo sa pagka karon,” he said.
He also said workers were not informed in advance about the expected slowdown linked to summit preparations.
“Wala gyud tawn mi gi-update, wala gyud mi kapangandam, sus paita,” he said.
Fruit vendor Gilda Maglasang, 62, also reported weak sales, saying she only made her first sale in the early afternoon.
“Mingaw kaayo oy,” she said.
Maglasang said her income has dropped sharply compared to normal tourist traffic but remains hopeful business will recover after summit activities wind down. (VCL)
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