Jennifer Quiño tries out the group’s newly purchased sewing machine. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gave a total of P505,740 to the two women’s groups in Mandaue City to start their own businesses.
The 24-member group from Barangay Jagobiao chose dressmaking, while the other group with 30 members from Barangay Ibabao-Estancia opted for rice retailing business.
“Nalipay gyud ko og dako kay makatabang gyud ni namo labi na nga ang akong bana tig-ayo ra og radiator sa sakyanan unya dili kada adlaw naay kita kay naay adlaw nga way magpa-ayo (I am very happy because this would greatly help us especially that my husband does not have a regular income from repairing car radiators because there are days when nobody would seek repairs),” said Jennifer Quiño.
Jennifer, the group leader for Barangay Jagobiao, recounted the challenges they went through in putting up their own dressmaking business.
“Naglisud gyud mi’g pangita og lugar nga kabutangan sa mga makina aron mi makapanahi. Pero ang tanan pagbuot lamang sa Ginoo (We had difficulty looking for a dressmaking shop. But with God, all things are possible),” Jennifer said.
With the help of the officials of Barangay Jagobiao, the women were able to find a space near the barangay hall, which is free. The group will only pay the electric bill.
As part of their social preparation, the two groups underwent several trainings sponsored by the Mandaue City government.
The group from Barangay Jagobiao underwent training on dressmaking, while those from Barangay Ibabao-Estancia had a crash course on financial literacy.
SLP is a community-based capacity building program that increases the economic opportunities of the beneficiary families by providing them with skills training, seed capital fund, pre-employment assistance fund, and the cash for building livelihood assets.