Life went topsy-turvy for people around the globe when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. It severely affected the global economy and resulted to businesses and establishment shutting down and people losing their jobs.

Joan Reyes Coligado, a mother and wife from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and her family were not spared from this setback. Joan used to work as a helper at a local beauty parlor in their municipality. She was also pregnant when the pandemic hit the country, hence, she was forced to resign from her job for her safety. On top of that, barber shops and beauty parlors were also included on the list of businesses directed to temporarily cease operations in line with the imposition of the community quarantine.

During that season, Joan’s husband who was a skilled welder tried to secure welding projects so that he can put food on their table and provide for the needs of his family, especially his pregnant wife. Sadly, projects were fewer and he was only working on an on-call basis.

Aside from their day jobs prior to the pandemic, Joan and her husband also raised native chickens and a hog as additional sources of income. Both husband and wife did their best to meet their family’s needs.

To help families whose livelihoods were severely affected by the implementation of the community quarantine, the national government initiated Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which primarily aims to provide immediate assistance to Filipino households and help them recover from their losses. One of the measures stipulated under this law is the Livelihood Assistance Grant – a livelihood intervention and recovery program carried out by the Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

On December 23, 2020, Joan received a livelihood grant of PhP15,000 as her family was identified as eligible to receive such assistance from the national government. Using the grant, she bought another hog to raise as well as feeds and vitamins needed for their livelihood activity.

Two years later, the Coligado’s hog-raising business is still functional and growing. Currently, they have two sows – with one sow ready for farrowing. From their income, they were also able to build up a small pen for farrowing and engaged in high technology sow haven worth PhP80,000 Now, the family has 11 piglets for disposal which they target to sell at PhP4,000 per head. In addition, they were also able to pursue and sustain their native chicken business.

The struggle that the couple went through was no easy feat. Despite the obstacles they had to endure to get to where they are now, the couple persisted and stayed committed to their goal of building a better life for their family. The couple believes that they were able to survive that dark season and recover because their family remained strong and intact.

Now, they are ready to walk onwards and welcome everything that the future has prepared for them – may it be highs or lows. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office