The Salvador Migsabuwa Farmers’ Association (SMFA), a registered abaca production guild (PG) in Sitio Salvador, Rogongon, Iligan City just opened their cooperative store last May 6, 2022 after their loan worth Php 100,000.00 was granted by the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN).
“Dako gyud kaayo among pasalamat nga natuman ra among pangandoy nga magkatindahan na gyud me para ragyud sa among PG [Production Guild],” said Barte, a PG member.
“We are so thankful that our wish of having a store for our PG was granted.”
SMFA guild operates under the project titled “Formation of Production Guild Social Enterprise and Economic Development of Indigenous People (FPG-SEEDIC) funded by the Bread for the World. Moreover, AVPN is one of the partners of Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits, Inc. (ECOWEB, Inc.) that implements livelihood-recovery program after being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Livelihood identification started from having learning sessions (LS) among groups of women, farmers, youths, and young adults to analyze the impact of the pandemic on their livelihoods. Participants underscored the relevance of augmenting their abaca production through venturing another business opportunity during this economic downturn.
LS involved participatory planning of PG members who consciously diagnosed the status of their abaca social enterprise including the gains and losses, and the course of action after receiving the cash.
The survivor and community-led response (sclr) approach sprang people’s participation in the planning process which manifested everyone’s commitment to their unanimous community action- the cooperative store.
ECOWEB also provided financial education to PG through conducting community-led managed savings (COMSA) financial literacy training which aimed at providing PGs with financial responsibility and informed financial decision-making.
The association bought 50 sacks of rice, a doubled-door refrigerator, and grocery items. Half of their existing abaca buying station is utilized as their small grocery store.
“Kani nga cooperatiba kay isa sa mga pinakadakong supporta among nadawatan,” Barte added.
“This cooperative store is one of the major supports we have received.”
PGs are guided by their existing policies and by-laws. Consequently, policies relating to grocery operation were added.
For the record, Salvador Migsabuwa Farmers’ Association is the first production guild that has opened a cooperative store in the community.
