DOLE livelihood assistance improves life of IS worker
Who would ever think that a modest amount of Php 5 000 assistance extended to an Informal Sector (IS) worker aimed at enhancing her livelihood could really make a big difference? It happened to 39-year-old Ma. Zeny Belen of Isabela, Negros Occidental, a sole breadwinner and a mother of two.
Zeny is married to Richard Belen but their marriage was marred because of her husband’s awful drinking habit. Aside from being jobless, her husband was an alcoholic and a troublemaker.
Zeny started selling ice water in 1996. With her home strategically located in front of the main gate of Isabela National High School, her ice water business was brisk. Her income, around Php 80 a day, provided for their daily subsistence.
In 2007, her income slightly increased when she bought ice grinder and started selling halo-halo.
During the later part of 2008, she heard of the 3-day seminar-workshop to be conducted by DOLE 6 personnel on Kabuhayan Program. She rushed to the Office of SB Milagros Belzunce and enlisted herself as participant. Fortunately, she was chosen and endorsed by LGU-Isabela as one of the 57 beneficiaries to avail of the livelihood assistance under the DOLE Capacity-Building for Livelihood Enhancement Program.
The year 2009 started right for her. She received the amount of Php 5 000 on January 16 from DOLE as livelihood assistance aimed at enhancing her existing ice water and halo-halo business. From that modest amount, her business expanded. She opened a carinderia where she serves snacks and lunch. Her income increased considerably as she earns an average daily income of Php 4 000.
Speaking in her own dialect, Zeny said the assistance was a big help not just to her family but to her parents and sibling, too. She hired her brother and 2 of her unemployed neighbors to assist in the carinderia and gave them Php 60 daily allowance and food for their families.
She also provided part-time job to 2 high school students. During peak time (lunch and snack time), they assist in the carinderia. In return, Zeny gives them free snacks and lunch and allowance of Php 20 a day.
With her income, she was able to set aside some money and pay their monthly electric bill.
“Before, I could hardly pay our monthly electric bill. Now, even if it [the bill] increased to Php 1 200, I have enough savings to pay for it,” she said.
There was also significant improvement in her economic condition. Her income enabled her to purchase a freezer, a microwave, chafing dishes, plastic chairs and tables, kitchen wares and display cabinet, among others, which she uses in her carinderia.
There was never a dull moment for Zeny. She does not spend her weekend for leisure; instead she buys ukay-ukay merchandise in the Municipalities of La Carlota and Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and sells them to her regular customers, such as teachers, municipal officials and employees. From this, she earns Php 700 to Php 800.
“Every weekend, I go to La Carlota and Hinigaran to buy ukay-ukay things such as blouses, pants, bedsheets and polo shirts at Php 50 each,” she happily related. “Back home I would sell them at Php 120 per piece with a markup of Php 70 per piece,” she added.
With her income, she was able to send her eldest child to college and provide allowances to her children.
“I really thank the government, particularly the DOLE, for making my dream come true,” she said. “Ever since I was a teenager, I dreamed of having my own business and DOLE made me realize this,” she added.
What is more significant is the transformation that took place in her husband.
“When my husband saw my business growing, he gradually stopped drinking and helped me run the carinderia; he became responsible,” she said. “Every weekend, he makes ice for sale to fish vendors to help augment our income; he also takes-charge of our e-load business,” she added.
Their business success helped restore her husband’s confidence and dignity. His once meaningless life became meaningful. More importantly, his transformation restored the family’s relationship.
Aside from her improved economic condition and her husband’s transformation, Zeny also gained recognition in the community. Recently, she was elected as Purok’s Secretary.
Zeny’s life is a living example to those who lost hope amid life’s difficulties. Trials and tribulations do come, but with strong resolve to surmount them one can undoubtedly attain success. Indeed, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
