“Ang basura sa uban, among panginabuhian (Other people’s trash, is our source of livelihood),” Eduarda Morales, 43, underscored that there is really money in trash.

Working as a scavenger, Eduarda also cited that her children are her source of strength and joy amidst living in a nearby dumpsite.

Eduarda is one of the 23 Modified Conditional Cash Transfer (MCCT) partner-beneficiaries from Brgy. Umapad, Mandaue City who will undergo skills training on enterprise development to prepare them for the operation of their buy and sell of scrap metal business.

These MCCT beneficiaries named their group as Paglaum sa Homeless Association.

The group will be taught on simple bookkeeping and recording to ensure the viability of their micro enterprise.

Also, they will be given weighing scales, calculators and customized trisikads or cycle rickshaw.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VII recently turned-over the cash cheque worth Php 460,000.00 for the training expenses and other necessary materials needed for their own junk shop.

“Pinaagi sa among kaugalingon nga junk shop, sigurado nga mas modako pa ang among halin unya (Through our own junk shop, we are assured of bigger profit later on)”, Eduarda said.

Eduarda also disclosed that being an MCCT partner-beneficiary greatly helps in sending her 3 children to school.

MCCT covers poor families who were not included in the regular Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

It provides assistance to homeless street families, families in need of special protection and indigenous families, which are not limited to education and health grants, but also include safe and responsive housing assistance with access to social services and economic opportunities for the improvement of their living conditions.

“Karon nga naa napud lain hinabang gikan sa gobyerno, mas dako ang chance nga makatigom mig capital arun makanegosyo na kami ug tagsa-tagsa (Now that we receive another assistance from the government, we have a bigger chance in saving for capital for us to operate our own business),” Eduarda added.

Just like their group’s name – Paglaum sa Homeless Association, Eduarda is hopeful to have her own decent home someday. ###

(11) Views