“A lot has changed…”This was the heartfelt response of Ms. Priscilla Soliva, a solo parent from Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands, when asked about the transformation she and her family experienced since the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga, through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), came into their lives.
For years, Ms. Soliva strived daily just to provide for her family’s needs. In 2006, she started a humble food vending business with only one product-cocobar or locally known as tira-tira. Determined to grow, she gradually expanded her product line to include breadsticks, banana chips, and sugar-coated peanut under the Pris Homemade Food Trading.
However, like many micro-entrepreneurs, her livelihood was not spared from the harsh impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Operations became unstable, and sustaining her business was a constant struggle.
But in September 2022, hope came her way. She received a Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) worth ₱15,000.00 from DSWD-SLP. With this support, she was able to revitalize and expand her business. The grant allowed her to purchase raw materials, improve her production, and introduce more variety to her products-helping her regain a stable foothold in the market.
“Ang DSWD-SLP ang naging daan sa napakaraming pagbabago sa aming pamilya at kabuhayan. Lumago ang puhunan ko at dumami ang aking mga produkto na ngayo’y hindi lang sa aming barangay nabibili, kundi naipadadala na rin sa iba’t ibang munisipyo ng Dinagat Islands. Dahil sa aking negosyo, naipatapos ko sa kolehiyo ang aking anak. Ang lahat ng pangangailangan ng aming pamilya ay natutugunan mula sa kinikita ko rito. Tunay akong pinagpala sa tulong ng DSWD-SLP, maraming salamat po.”she joyfully shared.
Today, Ms. Priscilla manages her own production area just a few meters away from her residence. With the business growing, she now provides employment opportunities to others, hiring not only regular workers but also part-time students and even senior citizens neighbourhood who wish to earn extra income.
Her journey from selling simple tira-tira to becoming a recognized food producer in her community is proof that determination, when coupled with the right support, discipline, eagerness to learn, can truly uplift lives. This success was made possible not only through the assistance of DSWD but also with the technical guidance provided by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Jose, PDI.
