Every road and alley in the community has been familiar to Marissa. Every day, these have been her regular route in pushing her cart filled with “Yakult drink”. Marissa, 49, is, happily married to Rodelio Jr., a construction worker; they were blessed with four children. Marissa and her family lives in Barangay Mandama, Hermosa Bataan.
Last December 22, 2011, Marissa was one of the beneficiaries of the SEA-K and (now Sustainable Livelihood Program [SLP]) who availed the capital seed fund amounting to P5,000.00 for being one of the members of SAMAKA Mandama SKA.
Marissa utilized the P5,000.00 in three types of income generating projects such as charcoal retailing (which is seasonal), Yakult Drink and Balut vending.
On her charcoal project, she used the amount of P3,600.00 in buying 20 sacks of charcoal at P180.00 each at the adjacent Sitio Nazareno, Barangay Culis, Hermosa Bataan. She then repacked the charcoal into small and medium packs and retailed to consumers costing P5.00 and P10.00, respectively. From the 20 sacks of charcoal that she bought, 10 sacks could be disposed within a week making her earn a net profit of P1,200.00 or P2,400.00 for two weeks.
Aside from charcoal retailing, Marissa also sells “Yakult drink”. She will buy Yakult from the Yakult dealer who regularly delivers the products in Hermosa every morning. She will purchase 4 packs of 50 bottles per pack or 2,000 bottles at P1,520.00. Upon purchase, she will then start pushing her cart throughout the area of Barangay Mandama and retailed her products to regular customers and sari-sari store owners. Marissa sells Yakult at P9.00 each bottle and earns a net profit of P280.00 per day for every 200 bottles.
After selling Yakult in the morning, Marissa will then go to Barangay Mabuco to buy 70 pieces balut which is P8.80 each. Then in the afternoon, she will cook the balut and sell this in the evening in front of their house. Marissa sells balut P13.00 each; she then earns P294.00 for 70 pieces balut.
According to Marissa, “Dati po mahiyain ako at palaging nasa bahay, pero mula nang mapasali ako sa KALIPI (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina) at SEA-K ay marami akong natutuhan, isa na po ang pagtitinda, pag-iipon at pakikiharap sa mga tao.”
Because of her savings last year, Marissa was able to purchase a brand new washing machine and a spin dryer worth P3,400.00 and P2,000.00, respectively.
Before Marissa availed the SEA-K Program, she had been an active member of the KALIPI in their barangay. She is also a Barangay Tanod with a monthly allowance of P962.00
Another blessing for Marissa and to her family also came on December 10, 2011, that is, being a beneficiary of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Set 5 in their area. Marissa also became one of the parent leaders in Barangay Mandama and handles 31 beneficiaries.
Marissa recalls that “Noong wala pa ang 4Ps, tig-isang pares lang ng uniform ang mga anak ko, pero ngayong nasa 4Ps na kami, meron nang tig-tatlong uniform sila at may maayos na sapatos pa.”
Marissa and her family were very thankful to DSWD programs particularly to SLP and Pantawid Pamilya because these have helped them support their basic needs and the education of their children. With this kind of support from the government and other stakeholders, for sure, Marissa will continue in pushing the wheel to success. ###
