TRICKS OF THE TRADE
Amable Dela Cruz ALDC Trading, Bulacan
Amable Dela Cruz started as a rice trader in 1997 through the financial assistance from a Chinese friend who lent him the money to start his business. “Dati namimili lang ako ng palay at pinapakiskis ko sa Binondo, Manila. Doon ko nakilala yung kaibigan ko na Instik na nagpahiram sa akin ng puhunan para masimulan ko ang aking negosyo. Labing-limang taon na kaming magkaibigan ngayon,” Amable related. Dela Cruz relied on his friend during times when he needed funds for his trading business. Though he has a regular source of financing, he still was not able to expand much since there is a limit to the amount he can get as a loan from his friend. Until they heard about the P3 program. “Member kasi ang aking asawa sa Catholic Servants of Christ Community Multipurpose Cooperative (CASECHCOM) for almost 20 years. At ako naman ay miyembro na din nila ng isang taon. Dahil associate member naman kami at may negosyo kami ang kooperatiba na po mismo ang nag-alok sa amin ng P3,” he said. Dela cruz was approved of a P100,000 P3 loan through CASECHCOM. He used the amount to buy sacks of palay and have them milled in Bocaue Bulacan. “Ang minimum kasi ay seven tons ng palay o tatlong elf truck para magiling duon sa Bocaue. Dahil sa P3 loan ko kaunti na lamang ang ipampupuno ko sa kakulangan. At mas nadagdagan pa ang aking puhunan at kita,” he said. Amable is also elated that CASECHCOM where he is a member is a P3 conduit.
“Madali lang ang pag-apply. Isang linggo lang yata kasi lahat naman ng requirements at mga papeles na kailangan ay naibigay ko agad. Nung hinanapan nila ako ng track record ng business ko tulad ng mga resibo naipakita ko naman ito agad.”
“Kaya importante sa mga nagnenegosyo ang marunong tayong magrecord at maglista para nakikita natin kung tayo ba ay kumikita o hindi. At sa mga pagkakataon ng tulad ng ganito na kailangan ng proof ng business eh may mapapakita tayo agad,” Amable said proudly.
Amable shared that P3 was a great blessing to him. “Malaking tulong sa akin dahil yung kakulangan sa kapital ko natugunan ng P3 sa maikling proseso, ilang araw lang. At yung sinabing tubo na 2.5 percent ay kayang-kaya namang kitain.”