Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc in partnership with Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) released a total of Php 400,000 to BD-Prop Association for the purchase of grocery items as a social enterprise start-up.
BD-Prop Association, a community-based association that formed part of the rehabilitation and normalization process in Purok 2, Biabi Damag, Marawi City under the SPAN-WAVE project implemented by above-mentioned organizations.
ECOWEB deposited the amount to Bin Daud General Merchandise for the purchase of commercial products and at the same time alloted Php 77,647.90 from the total budget for purchasing of goods and services including a refrigerator, transportation and delivery fee, and space rental fees.
In coordination with the barangay local government, the association received the grocery items from the supplier earlier this year. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, The BD Prop Grocery Store opened last April 16. This provided an instant job among the organization members who were unemployed and have lost their livelihood since the Marawi siege.
It is a common problem during the lockdown that there are no existing grocery stores in the area, making it difficult for small store owners and street vendors to purchase grocery items. With this project, people will be able to save transportation costs and time.
As they say, ‘Social Enterprise is a social mission’, and to further help them, ‘Tabang a Maito’ (literally means ‘Small help’) was also launched. It is a loan-without-interest program for entrepreneurs who are also survivors of the siege.
“We share the same experience and pain during this crisis. First, the Marawi siege and now the coronovirus. We always want to go back to normal and ease our lives with what we have now. This is an opportunity for us to give back and also earn for the betterment of our conditioons. We shall share the same hope. That is the least we can do for them.” sai Anwar Tago, association president.
Alamina Abbas, 35, association member and a mother of 8 children, happily said, “Very timely yung tulong kasi may lockdown, yung asawa ko ay hindi makapag-work dahil sa ECQ. Instantly, nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makapagtrabaho, lalo na ngayong COVID-19 crisis.” Her husband is a local carpenter in the town who has no permanent contract. Under ECQ, he cannot work for his family.
Nafisa Macabaning, 31, mother of 2 children and one of the sari-sari store owners in the barangay thankfully expressed, “Sa buong lockdown, sobrang hirap lumabas at mamili ng grocery items sa ibang lugar. Tapos, ito walking distance lang.”
In almost 2 months of lockdown in the city, some community farmers have also been severely affected as they have no income from their farm, or if they have, it is for their consumption only. Generally, this livelihood assistance provided an opportunity for the beneficiaries—youths, women, seniors, and farmers—to be financially stable during this global crisis.
Youth represented by the association president himself, Anwar Tago Jr., expressed that this will enable the youth to be business-ready. “Training na rin sa amin and we are looking forward na mapalago ito at makatulong pa sa ibang nangangailangan,” he said.
Indeed, despite the distance and crisis, partnerships for the common good bring hope to those in need and to those who are vulnerable.
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