SOUTH UPI – Each of the 41 indigent widows of war (WOW) from South Upi town in Maguindanao received Wednesday, Aug, 31 a sum of Php20,000.00 as capital to put up business that will help improve their socio-economic and living conditions.
Led by the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT), in partnership with the Office of Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Susana Anayatin, said activity is in view of the implementation of ‘Widows of War/Conflict Project’ funded under the Special Development Fund (SDF).
The WOW project recipients are mostly farmers who plan to purchase materials for sari-sari stores and animals suitable for another source of income.
“Alam natin na hindi biro ang pinagdadaanan ng kababaihan na nawalan ng asawa dahil sa gyera at conflict, kaya sa maliit na paraan ay tinutulungan natin sila kung paano magpundar ng negosyo,” MP Anayatin said.
“Isa sa pinaka-layunin ng proyekto ay tuturuan sila kung paano mag-manage nito [pondo], lalo na sa farmers na naghihintay pa ng apat na buwan para makaani,” she added.
During the event, MTIT – Trade Industry Development Analyst Rohanisah Malawad highlighted the importance of having alternative resources of income, particularly for farmers who wait quarterly for harvesting.
“Kapag may produkto ka, isa ka nang negosyante; farmer ka at the same time may negoyso ka. Sa buhay, kailangan madiskarte at maparaan, aralin mo kung anu-ano ang mga pasikot-sikot kung paano maging successful sa business,” Malawad told the widows.
One of the widows Florida Tumbaga, 34 with four children, shared her experience as a single parent and farmer, who struggles every day to earn for a living.
“Madaling araw pa lang ay kailangan ko nang maghanda para sa aking mga anak upang pumasok sa paaralan. Pagkatapos nito ay kailangan mo namang pumunta sa bukid upang maghanap buhay,” Tumaga said.
“Sa araw-araw ay kumikita ako ng Php150.00 sa pag-ani; kaya ang makukuha ko dito ay ibibili ko ng mga pang-abono at mga alagang hayop para pandagdag kita habang hinihintay namin na anihin ang aming mga pananim,” she shared.
Before the distribution of cash aid, the selection of qualified recipients has gone through profiling, assessment, and evaluation, in collaboration with the Municipal Social Welfare (MSW). (Johaira Sahidala/BIO)
