Member, Nueva Villa SLP Association | Barangay Nueva Villa, Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental

“A hard life,” that is how Analiza T. Geverola, a resident of Barangay Nueva Villa, Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental often describes the living situation of her family in the past.

Geverola, together with her husband who is a laborer and ‘habal-habal’ driver, works hard to raise their six children.  Apart from her husband’s income, her family also earns from ‘nito’ weaving, a skill which was passed on from her parents. 

“Balikan nako sauna among kaagi sir, grabe jud kalisod, among balay gamay kaayo, buslot ang among atop ilabi nag mag ulan sir mag tulo jud kay pawid raman siya. Kanang matulog mi, mag-dasok gyud mi sa usa ka higdaanan tungod sa kagamay sa among balay tapos nihit pud ang pinansyal atong panahona. (Recalling our life before, it was so hard. Our house was very small, our roof made of palm leaves, leaks when it rains, while we sleep jam-packed in our small room. And we had very limited financial resources too).” she said.

Luckily, through the Pantawid Program, they were referred to SLP, where she underwent capacity building, proper training on ‘nito’ weaving to improve their skills and most importantly, securing a livelihood capital worth Php 10,000.00 as one of the members of Nueva Villa SLP Association. In 2016, she used her grant to buy materials and tools to boost their weaving project.

Their lives improved after they became beneficiaries of the program. They were able to renovate their house, sent their daughter to college, and witnessed her graduate and become an accountant. These are some significant achievements they reaped.

These milestones are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the positive impact of the program in their family’s livelihood. Moreover, the acquisition of a motorcycle from the generated income through their ‘nito’ weaving also serves as proof to the growth and success of their enterprise.

In addition, they were recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for the quality and craftsmanship of their products which helped strengthen their credibility and attracted more customers, especially buyers from Cotabato and prestigious establishments like the Abreeza or Ayala Mall of Davao City.

“Ang DSWD-SLP, dako gyud kaayo kini og gikatabang sa ako-a ilabi na akong mga estudyante kay makapalit ko sa kung unsa ang ilahang gusto. Dili ko gyud ni walaon kay handumanan kini sa among pamilya. (The DSWD-SLP is a big help to us especially in sending my children to school. I will not let this opportunity go to waste as it is part of my family’s legacy).”