Sitio Mata of Barangay Marozo in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur is considered a conflict vulnerable area (CVA).
With the CVA term, one would think there is chaos. But in the heart of the sitio lies a thriving egg layering business by the Mata Makitkita, a 20 member-association established through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Flora Ausa, President of the Mata Makitkita SLP Association (SLPA), said they learned from their Barangay Captain Marivic Tolentino that the government has a livelihood program, and twenty of them signified their interest.
Flora added that her family relies on the income of her husband who is a tricycle driver, but most of the community members in their sitio were into farm work.
“Karamihan sa amin sa bukid po, kung may maghahanap po ng babayaran para mamitas ng gulay o magtanim,” Flora told the #Kwento ng Pag-Asa at Pagbabago (KPAP) team during an interview with this award-winning DSWD online documentary.
“Yung nalaman po namin na may padating na program ang gobyerno natin, ang SLP, naging interesado po kami kaya nagtanong tanong po kami kung pwede kami makasali para may extra income po kami kahit paano,” Flora said.
DSWD Field Office I Project Development Officer (PDO) Darleen Alquiza said she collaborated with the local government unit (LGU) prior to the implementation of the livelihood program in the community.
PDO Alquiza added that the SLPA had five project ideas in mind before finally identifying the chicken egg layering business as the one most suited to them.
The Mata Makitkita SLPA, however, experienced hardships before getting their project approved.
“Nawalan kami nuon ng pag-asa kung matutuloy pa kasi nuong una, dapat po sana is store eh naging problema po wala kaming magagamit na building paglagyan ng paninda,” Flora said.
Through the help of PDO Alquiza, who continued guiding the group, the project proposal was shifted to the egg business and received a seed capital grant of Php300,000 from the DSWD.
However, another problem was identified as the capital did not include the structure to house the chickens.
The group then sought the help of their LGU and Mayor Pablito Sanidad awarded them the necessary funds to build the house.
Narvacan’s Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) Chief, Paulina Cabunoc, said the construction of the structure for the chickens amounted to Php50,000, including the food for the workers composed of the SLPA family members.
“Yung sa kulungan naman po ay package deal na po kung saan sila bumili ng manok duon na din ang pinagbilhan,” MSWDO Cabunoc added.
The project started in July 2024, and as of December, the group has already set aside Php126,000 as savings.
Flora also told the #KPAP: “Php140,000 po sana pero sa 20 miyembro, may natanggap na kaming tig isang libo.”
The SLPA is bent on growing the egg layering business and is working in unity to manage and care for the chickens.
Susan Cabradilla, an SLPA member, said the members are assigned to clean and feed the chicken on a weekly rotation basis.
Also a parent leader of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps), Susan said the business helps them spend their time productively and has also become a source of their daily needs.
Thankful to the program and to the DSWD, Flora said: “Maraming naibigay sa amin lalo na po sa knowledge. Naka attend po ako ng training seminars, nakasalamuha ng iba’t ibang tao, nakatulong po sa pamilya kahit paano kahit kaunti pa lang ang pinansiyal na nakuha namin. Para sa aming mahihirap, malaki na po ito.”
Moreover, through their livelihood project, Flora learned to manage a business and opened her eyes to a better future.
“Kumbaga nangarap na balang araw, kung may pera, pwede pala itong maging negosyo para sa pamilya mo. Hindi na kailangan lumayo, o iwanan ang pamilya para lang makapaghanapbuhay,” Flora remarked.
In pursuing the livelihood project, the SLP also helped the community foster cooperation, unity, and peace.
Furthermore, the project became a model for the whole-of-nation approach which had been institutionalized under Executive Order No. 70 of 2018 for interventions to foster peace and an inclusive society.
PDO Alquiza pointed out that a technical working group (TWG) was organized at the start which included the LGU and other government agencies so that if the SLP encounters a problem, they will be able to access the appropriate services.
“Nag-orient tayo with LGUs, with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Philippine Army. Lahat po nandito na, nagtulong tulungan po para sa naging outcome dito sa Narvacan,” PDO Alquiza added.
United and willing to work hard, the Mata Makitkita SLPA hopes to make their business flourish and improve their lives and help the community as well.
SLP is DSWD’s capacity-building program for the identified poor, vulnerable, and marginalized households and communities aimed at improving the qualified beneficiaries’ livelihood opportunities either through entrepreneurship or job facilitation support. (GDVF)