Every opportunity has not been a waste for Deca Homes Women’s Association as they take every single chance not only to transform the lives of its members but also become catalysts for positive change within their community.

Founded in 2016, the women-dominated organization from Barangay Tacunan, Tugbok District in Davao City, has been consistently pursuing its mission of encouraging and promoting women’s participation in community affairs, entrepreneurship, and education through the assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

As a beneficiary of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), the Deca Homes Women’s SLP Association (SLPA) was provided with start-up capital to establish their enterprise, as well as, grants to improve their technical and vocational knowledge and skills needed to manage their chosen livelihood.

Maria Dolores Placa, the leader of the Deca Homes Women’s SLP Association and the Davao City SLP Federation President, recalled that the program has brought significant changes in the lives of their members, especially so that their minds were set on entrepreneurship and exploring other business opportunities, and their hearts willing to help those who are in need.

“Thank you for giving us this opportunity to grow and progress for economic advancement and empowerment, mind-setting our general membership on entrepreneurship efficiency while working and doing things harmoniously, and developing a sense of integrity through ‘bayanihan’ and volunteerism,” Placa said.

Today, the association’s chosen business, a general merchandise, continues to grow and expand through the dedication of its members whose main goal is to provide optimum social and economic development to low-income and less privileged individuals.

Their business has been playing a significant role in meeting the basic needs of women, children, and families in their community and neighboring areas, especially during the challenging times brought about by the pandemic.

Realizing the importance of uplifting non-member women in their area, the association initiated the ‘We CARE’ program.

“Napagpasyahan ng aming asosasyon na gumawa ng isang programang tinatawag naming ‘we CARE’, kung saan tinutulungan din namin ang mga kababaihan sa aming lugar na lubos na nangangailangan… Miyembro man o hindi, kung nangangailangan, ay aming tutulungan. Truly, SLP taught us to share our blessings with our fellow women,” Placa proudly explained.

(Our association has decided to create a program called ‘We CARE,’ where we also assist the women in our community who are in great need… Whether they are members or not, if they are in need, we will help them. Truly, SLP taught us to share our blessings with our fellow women.)

Through this initiative, the Deca Homes SLPA extends a helping hand to women in need by inviting them to participate in livelihood training and seminars, providing them with ideas and skills to start their own businesses.

So far, the ‘We CARE’ program has successfully conducted a diverse range of skills training, including the production of dishwashing liquid, fabric conditioners, beads, bracelets, purses, hand-knitted fridge towels, and various frozen meat products.

Moreover, the women members have acquired skills in massage therapy, ventosa, and beauty enhancement techniques.

By equipping women with these skills, the association has opened doors to new opportunities and fostered economic independence among the women in Tugbok District.

The impact of the association is likewise extended far beyond economic growth, as they also demonstrate compassion and solidarity during times of crisis and difficult circumstances.

Recently this year, the association provided aid to families affected by the devastating fire that struck in downtown Davao City. Their support included grocery packages and used clothing, giving hope to those who lost everything.

Reaping the fruits of compassion and dedication

The exceptional achievements of the Deca Homes Women’s SLPA have been recognized through several awards.

They were awarded 2nd place in the search for the Most Functional Women Association in Davao City in September 2022. In addition, the association was recently selected as the Regional Finalist for the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) search for the Best Pangkabuhayan – Group Category on February 15, 2023, and nominated by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of the DOLE.

The association’s commitment to women empowerment has gained recognition, earning them a place among esteemed organizations such as the Davao City Integrated Gender and Development Office, Davao City Federation of Women, Tugbok Federation of Women, and Barangay Tacunan Council of Women. Additionally, they are a registered workers association under DOLE and a DSWD-accredited Civil Society Organization.

With more opportunities pouring in, the association also benefited from the skills training from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-XI in which 50 women members and non-members were trained in Bangus Deboning and Various Fish, as well as Seaweed Noodle Making.

Indeed, various opportunities from different agencies were obtained by the association since the DSWD started to help them.

Expanding livelihood opportunities

Currently, the Deca Homes Women’s SLPA is a proud member of the Davao City SLP Federation composed of 10 different SLP Associations from the 1st and 3rd districts of Davao City.

These organizations have been helping each other by merging and contributing to capital outlay to serve as a consumer provider for the daily basic needs and for the weekly menu of the three DSWD Center and Residential Care Facilities in Davao City namely, Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC); Home for Girls and Women (HGW); and Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY).

“United as one and as SLPA members of the federation, this allows us to deliver quality service through entrepreneurship that everyone dreams about as we continue to improve, innovate, and adopt new services and programs including the trend on digitalization. We are all in this together!,” Placa emphasized.

For eight successful years, the Deca Home Women’s SLP Association has been working hand in hand with the DSWD and other service-oriented agencies for a common goal and the common good of empowering the women in their area through a variety of livelihood opportunities. ###