Realizing that mothers, not just the fathers, have the duty to provide for their families, some 25 enterprising mother-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program from Dingras, Ilocos Norte grouped together and availed of livelihood assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and started their broiler production business.

“Ito ang natutunan namin sa aming regular na pagdalo sa Family Development Session ng Pantawid Pamilya. Ayon sa aming mga speakers ang mga nanay daw ay hindi lang pala sa bahay lang, dapat ay madiskarte rin sa buhay para matulungan ang pamilya (We learned this during the Family Development Sessions of Pantawid Pamilya Our speakers emphasized that mothers should not be limited to their domestic role, but should also be resourceful and enterprising to help their families),” Marilyn Malvar, one of the 25 mothers said.

Pantawid Pamilya is a human development program of the government that invests in the health and education of poor families, primarily those with children aged 0-18. It provides monthly cash grants to beneficiaries who comply with the conditions of sending their children to school, bringing them to health centers, and attending the Family Development Sessions (FDS).

FDS is a gathering of parent-beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilya. It is conducted monthly by DSWD and partners-NGOs in coordination with the private sector and civil society organizations. It serves as a venue where topics on effective parenting, husband and wife relationships, child development, laws affecting the Filipino family, gender and development, home management, active citizenship, and electoral education are discussed.

Marilyn added that demonstrating self-confidence in dealing with people is one of the positive ​values she learned during FDS, which eventually pushed her to become the President of their livelihood organization, the San Marcelino SLP Association.

From housewives to businessmoms

As Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries, the association is eligible for livelihood assistance from the DSWD through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

SLP is a community-based capacity building program that seeks to improve the program participants’ socio-economic status through microenterprise development and employment facilitation.

Opting for the microenterprise development track, the association was provided by DSWD-Field Office 1 (FO1)​ with a livelihood capital assistance of P430,000 to jumpstart their broiler production business.

The group chose this enterprise since they can immediately see a return of their investment. The broilers were sold after 35 days, with the association earning a monthly profit of P2,500 from their sale of P6,000 to P8,000.

​Partnership ventures with business industries

​Engaging private corporations has been one of the major goals of the DSWD-SLP that will provide skills training and market access to beneficiaries.

​In October 2015, DSWD-​FO1  partnered with B-Meg and St. Ruiz Agro Merchandise,  two well-known brands in the hog raising industry,  for the conduct of a training to help the members of the association gain skills and hands-on experience on broiler production.

The group immediately put to use the business skills they have acquired.  Each of the 25 members raises 50 broilers, with a total of 1,250 broilers. After which they will again buy 50 broilers for production.  By December 2015, the association already had a bank savings of P44,000,  which has grown to P134,000 in April.

As part of the agreement between DSWD-FO1 and B-Meg, the latter procures half of the production and the remaining will be sold at the market and to other customers.

Cognizant of their social responsibility, Marilyn also shared that association members and even non-members  but are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries can avail of  loan from the proceeds of their businesses with minimal interests of 3 percent and 4 percent, respectively.

Members can also avail of medical loans with a 4 percent monthly interest.

To inculcate responsibility among members, each is required to contribute P120 a week with P100 as additional savings and P20 for their operational fund.

The income of the business will then be equally divided among the group members.

Inspired by the success of their broiler production, the San Marcelino SLP Association decided to embark on another livelihood project.

Cashing in on the booming tourism industry in the province, the 25 enterprising housewives started their cottage rental business in March.

They started with one cottage in March, which they rented out for P400 a day.

Only two months in the trade, they now have a modest bank savings of P5,710 which they hope to increase in the coming days similar to what they accomplished with their first business venture.

Today, Marilyn is happy that she is able to help bring food on the table. Her income from the group business is a huge help especially that her husband has no regular job taking on construction work when offered.

“Saan ko nga inpagarup nga uray saan ko a naileppas ti panagadalko ti kolehiyo ket maysa ak kadagiti mangimatmaton itan ti bukodmi (organisasion) a negosio ken mangidadaulo ti grupo mi (I did not expect that though I failed to finish my studies, I am now one of the managers of our association’s business and also a group leader),” Marilyn said in the vernacular.

Marilyn’s family is happy and proud of her accomplishments. She has gone a long way from being a housewife to an active and empowered citizen in their community, inspiring other women to aspire for better things.  Likewise, with Marilyn’s involvement in the business,  her family now has a stable source of income to ensure their daily survival.

The rest of the group members also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to improve their perspectives in lives​ as well as their economic status.

From 2011 to 2015, SLP has assisted a total of 1,185,091 Filipino families. Of this number 1,036,786 are Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries nationwide which include Marilyn and her group members. ###