Posted on by Jaymante Pearl Apilado

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still negatively affecting businesses, especially micro and small. When the first Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) was declared in March 2020 it caused the temporary closure of enterprises like the ukay-ukay (thrift) store of Marlon Nevago of Brgy. Matias, Burgos Pangasinan.

“Noong kasagsagan ng pandemic halos lahat talaga ng mga negosyo nagsara, kasama na kami doon. Nahirapan kami sa mga panahon na iyon dahil natigil ang aming pinagkakakitaan (At the height of the pandemic almost all of the businesses actually closed, including us. We struggled during those times because our livelihood stopped)” said Marlon.

Marlon Nevago sharing the struggle of his business during the implementations of community quarantines.

This fueled his determination to still run a business. He borrowed money from his mother to start raising ducks as their alternative source of income while waiting for the quarantine to loosen up.

When they were allowed to operate again, he revived his ukay-ukay business with the help of DSWD Field Office 1 – Sustainable Livelihood Program through the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG). Marlon received PhP5,000 under the Office of the President’s fund. He used it to buy additional ukay clothes and surplus products to increase his inventory.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa gobyerno dahil isa ako sa mga natulungan, kung hindi dahil sa tulong niyo hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ulit ng puhanan para masimulan ko ulit ito (I am grateful to the government because I am one of those who recieved help, if not for your help I do not know where I will get more so I can start again)” Marlon said.

Marlon and his wife preparing their products to sell.

Because of LAG received by Marlon, he was able to sustain his business. From this he bought appliances such as a washing machine and television for his family and renovated their kitchen. He also has completed payments for the motorcycle he uses in his business.

LAG is one of the recovery and rehabilitation programs of the government which primarily aims to aid low-income families or those coming from the informal sector whose livelihood were affected by community quarantines. #(by: John Chris B. Zureta, Social Marketing Officer, Sustainable Livelihood Program)