In a traditionally male-dominated gasoline industry, the women of N-North Gas Station Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) in Brgy. 62-A Navotas North, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, are proving that determination and perseverance know no gender.
The SLPA, composed of 30 members who are mostly women, was organized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 1 (DSWD FO 1) – Ilocos Region Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) through its Microenterprise Development Track in 2023. With the support of the PhP450,000.00 Seed Capital Fund (SCF) and an additional PhP132,000.00 Cash for Building Livelihood Assets Fund (CBLAF), they officially started their operations in January 2024.
Before joining the SLPA, most of the female members were part-time earners working as farm laborers, laundry women, and babysitters who were struggling to make ends meet. But through their collective effort and the livelihood assistance they received, they now have a more stable and sustainable source of income.
“Dakami nga farm laborers, saan nga inaldaw ket adda trabaho iti talon. Awan met iti bukod mi a daga a mabalinmi nga mulaan. Gapu ti tulong iti SLP, naited kadakami ti mabalin mi nga maibaga nga bukodmi met a pagsapulan. (As farm laborers, there isn’t always work available in the fields. We also don’t have our own land to cultivate. With the help of SLP, we were given what we can now call our own livelihood),” said SLPA President Maricel P. Fiesta.
Other than vehicles, N-North Gas Station SLPA is also fueling economic progress in their community. Their strategic location means that farmers no longer need to travel to the city proper to refuel, saving both time and money. The women of N-North also actively encourage their fellow farmers and local motorists to avail of their services, providing affordable yet high-quality gasoline.
Roderick Viernes, a motorist and regular customer of N-North Gas SLPA said “Adayu kami iti centro. Ti matip-tipidmi ti pa-gasolina isu pay nga inayun mi ti kasapulan ti pamilyami (We are far from the city proper. The money we save on gasoline is added to our family’s needs instead).”
These women are breaking stereotypes by showing that operating a gas station is not just a man’s job. They take pride in their work, proving that their strength and dedication are more than enough to succeed in a field where women are often underrepresented. Their greatest motivation? Their families. Each liter of gas pumped represents another step toward a brighter future for their children and loved ones.
The story of N-North Gas Station SLPA is a testament to the power of women when given opportunities to thrive. Their journey reflects not just financial empowerment but also the breaking of societal norms that have long dictated gender roles in business and employment.
This Women’s Month, we celebrate their courage, hard work, and unwavering determination to fuel a better tomorrow. Aligned with the mission of the SLP, a capacity-building initiative that aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized by providing access to essential assets for sustainable livelihoods—these women continue to break barriers and create opportunities for a brighter future. (by: Rogerio B. Bismonte III – Sustainable Livelihood Program)
