“Niapil man mi ato og training, and gi inform dayon mi nga maka dawat mi ug capital para sugod sa among negosyo (We joined the training and were thrilled to find out that we would also receive a capital fund to start our business),” said Rose Canares, the president of the Omjon Sustainable Livelihood Beneficiaries Association.

The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), a core program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, gave a Php 300,000 peace grant to the Omjon SLP association as part of the EO 70 implementation.

The government institutionalized this whole-of-nation approach and the government’s initiative to attain inclusive and sustainable peace. With the grant received, the association started its enterprise in selling rice and animal feeds, which has significantly boosted their local economy. The Omjon community used to be a place where conflicts often occurred.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte issued Executive Order No. 70 on December 4, 2018, which created the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Omjon Sustainable Livelihood Beneficiaries Association is one of the two SLP-funded associations through the EO 70.

Rose expressed her delight at their success. “Wala gyud mi magtuo nga ingon ani among kitaon, pagsugod namo medyo hinay jud kay naa pud lain tindahan diri (We never expected we would earn this much. When we started, things were slow because there were already other stores in the area),” she said.

At the early stage of operation, the association encountered challenges such as low sales despite all the efforts and difficulties in managing the business and handling inventories. But they didn’t give up. “Ang among gibuhat, mo-abli mig sayo kay sa uban ug kami usab ang dugay nga mo sira, nya ang presyo pareho ra sa lungsod (What we did was open early and close late, and we kept our prices the same as those in town),” Rose explained. They also assigned members to become regular vendors, ensuring the store was always accessible to customers, especially those who leave early for work and arrive late at night.

The strategy worked, and after a year of hard work, the association saw an increase in profits, with earnings rising by Php 133,778.29. Their store, which sells rice and animal feed, offers affordable prices, making it easier for residents who no longer need to go to town for their supplies. On an average day, the store brings in sales between Php 10,000 and Php 20,000 daily, which keeps the members motivated to run the store smoothly.

The SLPA members appreciated their newfound financial stability because they have improved their lives and given back to their community. An SLPA member, Catalina shared how the association has changed her life.

“Na double ang akong income kay naa koy sweldo pagka tindera, ug naa pd koy share sa among kita kay member man ko (My income has doubled because I now earn a salary as a vendor, and I also share in our profits, as I am also a member),” shared Catalina.

The benefits of the program continue beyond money. The group has also set up an emergency fund that has helped two members during tough times. Rose explained, “Naa nami emergency fund, aron maka suporta sa mga membro panahon nga adunay mga emergency nga gamitan (We created this fund to support our members during emergencies. It is comforting to know help is available when needed).”

The program has helped the association grow financially and changed how the members see themselves. Initially unsure about dealing with people, they now speak confidently with customers from various backgrounds. This change improved financial stability, which enabled them to provide for their families and build a safety net for future uncertainties.

The association members are excited about its future and plans to launch new community projects. With their hog-raising and meat-selling business, they will submit their application to become suppliers for a government program that provides food support for children.

“Nagpasalamat mi sa gobyerno sa gihatag nga higayon. Tungod ani, na arang-arang ang among kahimtang ug nakatabang usab kami sa among komunidad (We are very thankful for this chance. Because of this program, we have been able to improve our lives, and we’ve also helped our community grow),” said Rose, as she reflected on the association’s progress.

Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, the regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, expressed her delight upon learning about the significant milestones achieved by the program participants in Omjon. Lucero emphasized that the program successfully fulfills its goals of empowering and educating the community, with Omjon as an example of this success. She noted that while the program has planted the seeds of opportunity, the hard work and dedication of the participants have allowed these opportunities to grow and flourish.

With the government’s support and the dedication of its members, the Omjon Sustainable Livelihood Beneficiaries Association is thriving and is ready to achieve even more in the coming years. ###

(28) Views