While the informal sector is the ‘forgotten’ sector in many ways, it provides livelihoods, employment and income for … half of these work in firms with employees; these firms provide about 850 000 paid jobs – almost twice direct employment in … employment. There is no shortage of business initiative and desire to grow. However, obstacles and constraints cause hardship and …

This study begins with an overview of the poverty situation in the Philippines. It then takes a brief look at the poor … the relationship among trade, poverty and the structural transformation of the Philippine economy …