The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the individual’s resilience. Big and small businesses have suffered. Some failed, deeply in debt, declared bankruptcy, while others have stretched to their limits to survive. It was felt by the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) beneficiaries, basket producers for many years now because exporters have stopped ordering their products. The residents ventured on basket weaving since they had their skills training in 2018. Basket weaving has been their families’ bread and butter.

“Naka-apektar gyud kaayo ang pandemic sa among panginabuhi. Ang mga regular namo nga customers wala na mobalik og order sa amo siguro apektado usab sila sa pandemic (The pandemic greatly affected our livelihoods. Our regular customers did not contact anymore us nor make orders. Maybe they were also affected by the lockdown),” expressed Myra Lazarraga, 45, Pantawid and LAG beneficiary of Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Ronda, Cebu.

For the beneficiaries to recover from the pandemic, the SLP Project Development Officer II Jessyl Lendio, helped seek assistance from the local government unit of Ronda and tapped the World Vision Aim Life, a non-government partner organization, to provide the basic and advanced skills training on basket weaving.

The partnership with the World Vision and the training it gave has helped the beneficiaries boost their confidence with their gained advanced and new techniques in basket weaving.

“I saw the need to help and will continue to assist the beneficiaries until they succeed in their small businesses because their small wins are also my achievements,” said Lendio.

Lazarraga said they appreciate the initiative of the PDO, who showed concern for their livelihood, and of the LGU, who partnered with the World Vision. The activity also encouraged family members to learn and help in basket weaving.

“Nakatabang ning training kay akong bana og mga anak na enganyo usab sila sa pag kat-on sa paghimo og basket (This training has helped us. It has encouraged my husband and my children to learn basket weaving),” shared Lazarraga.

She added that if the family would together, members could work together to produce more and cater more when the pandemic is over.

The 71 beneficiaries were thankful for the opportunities given to them. They hope everything will be back to normal and continue their livelihoods.

“Dako kaayo ning tampo sa among pamilya ang advanced basket weaving skills training nga among nadawat, mapasalamaton kami sa tabang nga malahutayon ang among panginabuhi ilabi na ang Livelihood Assistance Grant nga gitagana namo sa among panginabuhian (The advanced basket weaving skills training is of great help. We are grateful for the sustainable assistance like this livelihood Assistance Grant intended for our livelihood),” shared Leah Pulgadas, a Pantawid parent leader.

Pulgadas said the government really looks into their welfare and that they will treasure all the learnings they have acquired.

With their acquired basic and advanced basket weaving skills, the 71 beneficiaries of Pantawid, SLP, and Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG) from Barangays Canduling, Cansayhon, Malalay, Langin, and Vive in Ronda, Cebu, are hopeful they could recover from the pandemic. ###

(74) Views