Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries turn entrepreneurs in Ilocos Norte

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Dingras, Ilocos Norte—With the influx of tourists visiting new destinations in Ilocos Norte, Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in this municipality took advantage of it and set up a cottage business at the Madongan Dam of Brgy. San Marcelino here.

At least 25 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries are now running a cottage-for-rent business courtesy of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office based in Region 1.

Marilyn Malvar, a parent leader and the San Marcelino SLP association president said that since they started their cottage business in March 2016, they were able to open a savings bank account amounting to Php5,710. For every rental fee of Php400 per day, Ms. Malvar said she sets aside some amount for family savings.

Aside from operating a cottage business, the association also engages in broiler production since December 2015. They started raising 1,250 broilers. Each member raises 50 broilers. DSWD-SLP in partnership with B-Meg and St. Ruiz Agro Merchandise provided the members training and hands-on experience on proper management of broiler production in October 2015. Since December 2015, the association now have a bank savings amounting to Php44,000.

The broilers are disposed after 35 days, leaving the organization a monthly income of Php2,500 from their sales of Php6,000 to Php8,000. Of this amount, they will again purchase 50 broilers for production. The organization also plans to put up a layering business in the next few days.

As part of the agreement between DSWD and B-Meg, the latter procures half of the production and the remaining produce is supplied at the market and to other customers.

According to Ms. Malvar, every member and non-member can avail a loan from the proceeds of their businesses with at least 3% and 4% interest, respectively. This is only offered to their co-beneficiaries.

Each member also contributes Php120 a week—Php100 goes to additional savings and Php20 as operational fund. For medical assistance, members can enjoy the organizational fund pegged at Php9,207 earned from December 2015 to April 2016.

"Saanko nga ipagarup nga uray saanko a naileppas ti panagadalko iti kolehio ket maysa ak kadagiti mangimatmaton itan iti bukodmi [organisasion] a negosio ken mangidaulo iti grupomi [I did not expect that though I failed to finish my college degree, I am now one of the managers of our (organization) own business and even a group leader]," says Ms. Malvar.

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