WHILE voters are busy going to and from their polling precincts, owners of small businesses outside the polling places were also busy selling locally made comfort foods and cold refreshments and beverages.

No need for voters to take their breakfast before voting as they can just have their coffee, bread, banana cue, hard boiled eggs, noodles, sweet corns, fried isaw (intestines), fried chicken blood, hotdog, among others available just outside the polling places.

Sweet corn sellers Ellen Joy Orense and Jan Rae Salvideo sell sweet and purple corns outside of the Asuncion L. Lizards Elementary School in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City.

“People come to buy. We have increased our stocks because we know that a lot of people will come to vote. But because of the long queue, most of the voters will find means to address their hunger pangs and our sweet and purple corns can be best to eat as their snacks. Corn contains more carbohydrates and it can help them have energy for the long wait,” Ellen Joy said.

Estelita Tison, sells Banana cue, hard boiled eggs, cap noodles, coffee, water and other junk foods.

She said that she’s been selling in school canteen for 40 years now and still enjoyed selling especially during election day where people quite had money to buy. It has increased her sales as people will eat while waiting for their turn to vote. Or others just come and buy first and then buy food for their other family members or friends who were queuing at the polling precinct.

“I increased my sales for this election day,” she said.

Lucio Datu-on and his relatives Florensa and Andy Datu-on took turn in selling fish balls, French fries, popcorn, fish tempura, juice, ice scramble, among others.

They enjoyed selling because of increased customers.

They also positioned their push cart near a polling place and people come to buy and immediately eat while walking to the polling area.

It’s a good day for us, Lucio, the owner said.

Mary Ann and Arlene Tanique sell Isaw (chicken intestines), fried chicken blood, hotdog soaked in scrambled eggs and cornstarch.

People love to eat these kinds of street foods. They dipped it in own concoction of vinegar, soy sauce and spices.

“We also increased our sales for the election day,” they said.