Dalaguete, Cebu is dubbed as the “Vegetable Basket of the South.” It has 33 barangays including barangay Caliongan. These barangays are mostly situated in upland areas, of which, farming and planting various vegetables are the means of livelihood.

In 2011, the Dalaguete Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) formulated a women’s association in the barangay Caliongan named, Caliongan Skilled Women Association (CASWA). The association consist of 28 female members. Most of them are farmers earning below minimum wage.  This seasonal livelihood and other irregular labor work does not guarantee enough income for their day-to-day needs.

Since the viability of the vegetable products are high, the MSWDO headed by Ms. Evelyn Sarmago in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), trained these members on vegetable processing especially squash noodles with malunggay making together with other participants from other barangays like Mantalongon to help and augment the families’ financial state.

Along the days of the training, the CASWA members have gone several challenges, financial or personal matter. Also, the group does not have enough equipment to use in making the squash noodles with malunggay, which delays their production. These made them more determined and optimistic to get involve in the offered trainings, orientations and seminars initiated by the local government unit and DOST, to be active of their venture and to continue their goal of having a business.

In December 2014, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Implementing Project Development Officer (IPDO), Ms. Merlita L. Faburada made an assessment and validation as to the qualification of the CASWA to receive the department’s livelihood assistance based on the SLP implementing guidelines.

Fortunately, the CASWA SLP qualified for the assistance and received the amount of Php 279,655.00 charged to the Seed Capital Fund (SCF) from the DSWD SLP and Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB). On the other hand, the LGU released the amount of Php 35,294.00 as the counterpart to the association.

In July 2015, the association got their dream machine and other equipment for the squash noodles with malunggay production. The DSWD-SLP continued the skills training on vegetable processing, technical support for vegetables noodles production and squash noodles training with packaging and labelling through the DOST.

After the project implementation, the CASWA SLP can now produce around 2,800 packs of noodles monthly depending on demand. Each pack consists of 50 grams which only costs Php 5.00. The association is DOLE registered and recognized in their municipality as the Most Active Livelihood Association. Its primary market is the Supplementary Feeding Program implemented by Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and its neighboring barangays.

The SLPA’s average monthly net income is Php 5,000, which increases during trade fairs. The shares that members get depend on their participation. Additional income is about Php 3,000 for each active member per year.

The group received logistical support from their barangay local government unit, and provided them a building for noodle production. The MSWDO also conducts monitoring initiatives and coordinates with partners, like DOST, for technical assistance to improve production practices.

One of the good practices they established as a group is cohesiveness. To generate more income, the members decided to contribute at least Php 500.00 each for their sinking fund and another Php 10.00 weekly contribution for the group’s immediate expenses like fare for the members in need and snacks during their weekly meeting.

They are also active in community services like clean-up drive in the barangay and the Alay Linis Nationwide, facilitate the decoration materials during the barangay fiesta and service to the feeding program to the kinder and elementary pupils.

Also, the CASWA SLP exercises their anniversary celebration every December as a way to remind each member the essence of solidarity in the group.

The health benefits of their products gained popularity among other MSWDOs, who requested CASWA to supply nutritious noodles for their day care centers. This enabled the CASWA members to expand their market to neighboring municipalities.

Esmeralda Borla, SLPA president was able to invest in livestock as additional source of income from her savings. She said that her participation in the SLPA helps her provide for her family and support her children’s education. ###

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