“Padayon akong pagpaningkamot aron makasinati ug maayong kabag-ohan akong pamilya (I am striving harder for my family to experience positive change),” shares Liling Magaluna, a Sustainable Livelihood Program participant from General Luna, Siargao Islands, Surigao del Norte.

After receiving the Self-Employment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) fund last 2013, she decided to engage into 100% natural coconut oil production. With numerous spas in their tourist-visited island, venturing on this business seems economically feasible for her. Her husband along her children helps her from pre-production to marketing of the said product. The family even built a small store in their front yard for product display. Eager to widen up market opportunities, Liling even engages into consignment.

Her family’s persistence led the product to be known to the tourists visiting Siargao Islands. From using a traditional bottle for packaging, the product is now parceled with a fancy bottle. It is now called Siargao Gold. With its natural content, it is good not just for massage but for cooking, skin moisturizer and deodorant as well.  ###(MARY CARMELLE C. JUMAWAN/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)