Welma Fernandez, 68 years old and president of “Barangay 142, Zone 42 Ahon Kabuhayan Association” shared how she and their association sustained their businesses that led to the receipt of their fourth cycle capital assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR), in partnership with the Philippine Goodworks Mission Foundation Inc.
“Para maging matagumpay ang isang asosasyon, dapat bawat miyembro ay nagtutulungan, kasama ang kanilang mga pamilya. Mahalaga na mayroon kayong unawaan at pagmamahal sa isa’t isa,” she muttered.
Fernandez personally recalled the time when she first received capital seed from Ahon Pangkabuhayan Project worth five thousand pesos.
“Dinagdag ko ang puhunang iyon sa aming maliit na tindahan. Dati, tsitsirya at kendi lang ang laman nito, pero ngayon mayroon nang mga tsinelas, softdrinks at iba pa. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa patuloy na patitiwala ng DSWD-NCR at PGMFI sa amin.” she added.
The income from their sari-sari store are of great help in sending her three grandchildren in school namely: Fercy Mae, 18 years old, currently 4th year Broadcasting student; Gabriel, 16 years old, Architecture student; and Chelsea Ann, 12 years old, Grade 8.
Further, she also acknowledged the importance of the livelihood training and seminar she attended to improve her skills and knowledge in managing her business. “Tinuruan po kami kung paano mag-ipon at palaguin ang aming negosyo,”
As president of their association, she said that every member should also work together. “Kapag may ginipit sa amin at hindi muna kayang makapaghulog, nagtutulong tulong kaming lahat para makapagbayad kami sa itinakdang petsa. Sa ganitong paraan, hindi namin masisira ang tiwalang binigay sa amin.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Belinda Manahan, Executive Director of PGMFI, encouraged everyone to continue their perseverance to sustain their businesses and improve their well-being. She also assured continuous partnership with the DSWD-NCR in helping poor families in the metro.
A total of 809,000 worth of capital assistance were awarded to 112 beneficiaries on December 10, 2015 through the Tulong Ahon Pangkabuhayan project wherein beneficiaries must return the no-interest capital seed fund within six (6) months. The Project Development Officers (PDOs) of DSWD-NCR are monitoring the operations of the approved projects funded by the livelihood assistance to the beneficiaries to ensure proper utilization of the capital seed fund. ###