Nasunogan Livelihood Association (NLA) of the Municipality of Dao has reached a milestone when 32 active association members received dividends from their successful palay buying venture.
It was in 2018 when NLA’s palay-buying project received a funding of P1.2 million from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
What was a small enterprise established seven years ago is now a sustainable one, selling at affordable prices to rural rice farmers and providing a steady income to association members.
“With training and co-operation, we turned a small concept into an enterprise that benefits many,” said NLA President Rosela Salenas.
Not only did the business enhance the members’ living conditions, but also the local agricultural economy was supported by eliminating exploitative middlemen.
SLP Capiz Provincial Coordinator Ailyn B. Zerrudo commended the group as an example of bottom-up, community-driven empowerment and sustainability.
At the threshold of expanding its operations from palay buying to rice retailing, the NLA is still proving that bottom-up, communities can flourish with the right support.
SLP Capiz Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (PMEO) Anthonette Joy Hope Layson, Dao Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer (MSWDO) Wildivina Jolampong and SLP Focal Jean Estorninos witnessed the turnover of the dividends. (DSWD-6)
