ENTREPRENEUR FINDS TREASURE FROM JUNK

NOEL SAYOSA ANTIPOLO, RIZAL

Noel Sayosa of Antipolo, Rizal makes a living by buying scrap metal and other items some people consider as junk, proving the old adage “May pera sa basura” is indeed still true. In 2014, Noel started his junkshop from a P50,000 capital.

“Mahirap po talaga sa simula. May mga araw na walang pondong pambili ng kalakal, may mga araw din na walang kita. Kaya kapit po talaga ako sa ‘5-6’,” Noel related. To continue operating his business, he borrowed religiously from 5-6 lenders despite knowing the risks.

“Ang pagbabayad ko sa 5-6 noon ay arawan. Sa 60 na araw na term mayroong 20-percent na interes,” Noel explained of how the scheme preyed on microentrepreneurs like him. Noel’s golden opportunity came in October 2018. Upon hearing from other members about Barangka Credit Cooperative being a P3 conduit, he immediately inquired and applied for a loan.

“Yung 100,000 na dagdag-puhunan na nakuha ko mula sa P3, ginamit ko sa pagpapalago ng negosyo. ‘Di ko din po inakala na lalaki ng ganito

ang junkshop.” Noel said the additional capital greatly helped his business, allowing him to earn twice the amount he earns before he availed of the program. His earnings also enabled him to save money to open another shop. “Sobrang laking ginhawa ng P3 Program sa kagaya kong maliit na negosyante kasi mura ang pagbabayad, malaki ang naiuuwi ko sa aking pamilya at naka-ipon pa ako para sa isa pang junkshop” Noel said.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko po talaga sa programang ito ng gobyerno. Kung wala sigurong P3, malamang ay baon pa rin ako sa 5-6,” Noel concluded.