They started borrowing resources from good hearted people until they acquired their own. They were able to rise from a cavan of rice. This is where the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) Association’s successful business began and now keeps on growing being managed by 7 Pantawid Pamilya mothers and 19 other women in Bgy. Macandocandong, Anda, Pangasinan.

Propelling self-initiative

To augment their own income generating activities, these business-minded women sold a cavan of rice to their barangay and earned their income as their revolving fund. With the aid of Anda Kabaraybayan Livelihood Assistance Program (KLAP), they decided to put up a KALIPI store which is now on its ninth year in catering their locality and nearby other nearby barangays.

With the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), each of them was provided with capital assistance worth Php5,000.00 through Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran scheme. They decided to set aside Php500.00 each to serve as additional capital for the store while the remaining Php4,500.00 was utilized in their own income generating activities.  They were also able to buy a 66 square meter titled lot and construct their own 5×7 store building from the store income amounting to Php13,200.00.

Name it, we have it

“Our KALIPI store is a one-stop shop. The everyday needs of all families in our barangay are available here,” Association President Melita Orlanda proudly said. According to her, they make sure that they sell affordable and saleable goods to the community.

She also disclosed that store operations are properly accounted for through their working committees on education, livelihood, membership, and lending, among others. “We do not separate ways unless issues are addressed properly with the final decision of our Executive Committee,” Melita narrates.

Worth the effort

Every end of the semester, each member receives her income share. According to the Association President and Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary Mely Celeste, investing in the KALIPI store is a long lasting support for the needs of her family. She added that being a member of the association boosts the businesswoman inside her. (by: Jaesem Ryan A. Gaces, Information Officer II/Pantawid Pamilya)