People carry a beverage while traversing the streets in Manila on April 3, 2024. Health experts advise the public to take precautions and stay hydrated as the country experiences high heat levels amid the dry season recently announced by PAGASA. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA - As many schools shifted to online learning due to the intensely hot weather, many small businesses located near schools say their incomes have dropped as customers stay home.

Gloria Molina runs a shop in front of Kamuning Elementary School.

On normal days, the shop which sells school supplies and snack items for kids, generates around P1,000 income for her family. However, since there were no more onsite classes, the shop's customers were limited to people looking for cold drinks and other home essentials.

“Ni P500 nga wala nga eh. Kawawa rin sa mga bata napakainit. Maswerte lang kami hindi kami umuupa. ‘Pag umuupa kami, patay. Talagang wala kaming kinikita,” Molina said.

(We don’t even earn P500. I also pity the children since it’s very hot.  We're just lucky we don't pay rent. We really don't make any income.)

Reynilo Santos' shop meanwhile sells learning materials and toys in front of Roxas Elementary School. These items are now just gathering dust. Their shop is also offering printing services for students’ assignments and projects, but since there are no students, there's no business.

“Sinong bibili sayo, walang estudyante? Malaking impact talaga sa negosyo lalo sa aming maliliit na negosyante. Dito sa amin, halos 70 to 80 percent ang mawawala sayo kasi mga estudyante lang ang aasahan mong customer,” Santos said. 

(Who will buy from us if there are no students? It really has a big impact on business, especially on small entrepreneurs. In my shop, I lose almost 70 to 80 percent because the only customers you can expect are students.)

Businesses selling food are also feeling the impact of class suspensions due to extreme heat.

Leonora Gallego, a fishball vendor, lost around P4,000 worth of frozen goods and eggs.

Even though her stocks were stored in a freezer, they eventually exceeded their shelf life as she was unable to sell them in her stall.

“Binili ko ‘yan akala ko may pasok pa. Mga March katapusan. Hindi naman namin alam na magtutuloy-tuloy. Nakapamili ako ng marami para hindi ako bili nang bili. Kaso eto walang pasok, hindi pwede ilabas kasi wala namang mamimili. Walang katao-tao,” Gallego said.

(I bought the goods because I thought there would still be classes, around the end of March. I didn’t know that suspensions will continue. I was able to buy a lot so I won’t keep going back to the market. But there are no classes, I can’t set up shop because there are no customers.)

Even for businesses outside the vicinity of schools, some are experiencing a drop in sales like Aura Reymano’s mami kiosk.

To attract customers, she resorted to offering unlimited rice.

However, Reymano decided to reduce her stocks by 10 kilos since there are almost no customers at times when the heat is at its peak.

“Minsan walang tao. Tanghali, umaga, masaydong matumal kasi mainit,” Reymano said. 

(Sometimes there are no customers. During noon or morning, there are no customers because it's hot.)

Even transport workers like TNVS riders see fewer bookings between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

For riders like Roel Maputi who still accept bookings during these hours, staying hydrated is essential. 

“Tubig lang po. Dati dalawang litro na baon ko. Ngayon tatlo na pero minsan bumibili pa ako kasi kulang,” he added.

(I just drink a lot of water. Before, I took two liters with me but now, I take three liters but it still isn’t enough. I still have to buy water at times.)

For now, entrepreneurs like Santos have no choice but to wait for classes to resume and for the temperatures to cool down.

“Ang problema, pinalitan nila, ang may pasok, mainit na panahon. Ang mga bata kawawa naman kaya kami naman magsasakripisyo na lang,” Santos said.

(The problem is, they changed the calendar. Students have to go to school during the dry season. I feel for these children so we will just sacrifice.)