BANANA BUSINESS GROWS WITH HARD WORK, DSWD HELP
A family from Lila town in Bohol became successful in their banana chips production after they received a financial grant from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“I am glad that I was given the chance to be part of the Poblacion Candulang Sustainable Livelihood Association organized by the DSWD-SLP. Through this, I received a grant of P8,335. It was sufficient enough to expand our banana chips business,” Adelfa Bondoc said.
Before entering in the business, Bondoc had no other means of income. She took care of her children and ran errands in her household, while her husband Challier put food on the table by working as a motorcycle-for-hire driver.
Challier also did carpentry. His income of P300-P450 per day is not enough to feed seven mouths in his family.
In 2016, Bondoc attended a livelihood skills training on banana chips production, which was initiated by a non-governmental organization.
She hesitated in venturing into business as she had no capital and equipment back then.
“We barely had enough money to buy food for three meals, let alone put up capital to start a business,” Bondoc said.
The Bondocs are beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Despite receiving cash grants for her three children’s education and for her family’s health, Bondoc said they still had to find ways to augment their income.
Taking the risk
Bondoc and Challier decided to take the risk as they want to give their children a bright future. They made their first packs of banana chips from the bananas they harvested from their backyard and sold them to one of the sari-sari stores in barangay Poblacion Candulang, Lila.
The Bondocs’ product became popular in the village. They produced more chips due to the positive feedback.
With start-up capital of P3,000, they were able to produce 70 packs that they distributed within Lila.
The demand for their banana chips later increased, and they could hardly accommodate all orders because their capital fund was not enough and they lacked the equipment for mass production.
After Bondoc received financial aid from DSWD-SLP, her family’s business continues to thrive to this day. The banana chips are now displayed in the convenience stores in the towns of Valencia, Loay, Dauis, Panglao and Tagbilaran City.
The Bondocs earn an average of P18,000 per week, and they are now operating their own sari-sari store. They purchased additional production equipment and a multicab for product delivery to their customers.
The family ventured into other businesses like selling drinking water to neighbors.
Bondoc is a Pantawid parent leader, serving as the direct link between the program and the beneficiaries. She also helps the Municipal Link of the Pantawid program, especially in updating the profile of the beneficiaries and conducting meetings and family development sessions.
She has a big role in the overall implementation of the 4Ps. She gives time to this voluntary work at the same time works hard to earn a decent living for her family.
“We can really improve our life by working hard and giving support to the family’s livelihood enterprise. With this, we can now provide good education to our children. I am grateful to DSWD-SLP for the financial assistance to expand our business,” Bondoc said.