“Ang bagyong Odette dako kaayo og damage nako, ang tindahan nako nga nahimo tungod sa SLP, nahanaw tungod sa bagyong Odette (Typhoon Odette did a lot of damage to me. The sari-sari store I established through SLP vanished because of Typhoon Odette),” narrates Maria Francita R. Vistal, as she emotionally recounts after seeing the typhoon’s aftermath.

Maria Francita, of Brgy. Cagwasan, Inabanga, Bohol, is a beneficiary of the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Six (6) months ago, Maria Francita received Php 15,000 livelihood assistance and immediately upgraded her sari-sari store. Since then, the store’s operation went well. She was looking forward to an income boost during the holiday season

Odette came and pummeled their town, leaving only remnants of their houses and livelihoods.

“Makalolo-oy ang among sitwasyon diri. Ang among nahipos ug nasalbar nga mga paninda human sa bagyo amo ra usab gipanghatag sa labing nanginahanglan (We were in a miserable situation. The goods that we saved and salvaged from our sari-sari store were given to our neighbors who need it most),” shares Maria Francita.

She’s hopeful that she will be able to get back on their feet. “Makabalik ra lagi mi og paninda, Ginoo ray mag-igo ug malooy ang Ginoo (We can open our sari-sari store again, in God’s time and in God’s mercy).” ###

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