Barangay Nazareno is a coastal barangay in the eastern side of San Pascual, Burias, one of the three islands of Masbate province. It is a fishing village which is accessible to land and sea transport. However, the only available land transport is the “habal-habal” or a one-sided motorcycle. One could also reach the place by foot, since it is only about five kilometers away from the town proper.

The place is home to 1, 842 people or 348 families with 330 households. It is a Set 1 Pantawid Pamilya recipient with 139 family beneficiaries. The family of Mildred Rodel is among them.

Mildred is 30 years old with two children both in their elementary grade. She is a day care worker with a monthly honorarium of 1, 000 pesos while her husband, Danilo, is a fisherman and earns at least 200 pesos per day if he is lucky to have a good catch, and if he is able to borrow a banca.” Wala po kaming sariling bangka ,” Mildred bared.

Life for the family is so hard with two children to support. As a Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary, Mildred is aware that the cash grant could not be used for anything else but for the health and education needs of the children. “Kulang na kulang ang pang araw-araw na kita namin para mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang aking pamilya,” Mildred sighed.

In 2010, the Sustainable Livelihood Program was introduced in the barangay with the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries as the priority recipients. Mildred became one of those who qualified for the program. She was one of the active members of the SEA-K Association in Nazareno. Mildred attended the required number of trainings which prepared her and other members of the group as creditors and business entrepreneurs. When she eventually received her capital seed fund of 10, 000 pesos on November 8, 2011, she ventured in buy and sell of scrap materials.

Mildred is a strong woman who will do anything for the good of her children. After her session at the day care center, Mildred and Danilo would traverse the rough road of Barangay Nazareno to buy scrap materials. “Malaking hirap at sakripisyo ang dinadaanan naming mag-asawa sa pangangalakal lalo pa’t wala kaming sariling sasakyan,” Mildred disclosed.

In their desire to augment the family’s income, Mildred also invested part of the grant in buy and sell of agricultural products. The couple is determined to have their business grow. She did not use the money she earned from her buy and sell of scrap materials project but instead, she relied on the income in selling fish and agricultural products.

After a year in the business, Mildred was able to pay the full amount. The couple now owns two small motorboats; one used in fishing by Danilo and the other serves as their transportation in going around the neighboring barangays for their buy and sell projects. “Natutugunan na rin namin iyong pang araw-araw na pangangailangan namin.” Mildred added that she is also saving for the college education of her two children.

It has been my intent to invest the capital assistance to earn more money. A life of poverty stripe her dignity….and I don’t want to be poor forever.

Mildred said that the love of business is parallel with making money. Success in the business depends on one’s will to succeed. Guts and hard work always makes sense. ###eejerusalem