Meet MARY GRACE OCAMPO DANUCO of Kinabjangan, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte. As the nation celebrates National Women’s Month, her journey stands as a testament to the strength, perseverance, and courage that define Filipino women.

She is a person with disability (PWD) but this did not hinder her from supporting her family’s needs. With five children to raise, two currently in college, life has never been easy. Her husband works as a farmer, but his income alone is not enough to sustain their daily needs prompting her to venture into small-scale selling.

For nine years, she worked tirelessly as vendor in different areas around Nasipit, including the port, terminal, bus stops, municipal hall, and schools.

In July 2025, Mary Grace received a ₱ 15,000 livelihood grant through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga. This assistance became a turning point in her journey. With the support provided, she was able to invest in equipment that improved her banana chips production. This grant not only strengthened her small enterprise but also renewed her hope and determination.

Today, Mary Grace’s banana chips business continues to grow. Unlike before, when she relied solely on store-to-store selling, she now receives weekly orders that sell out quickly. Some buyers even bring her products to other countries, expanding the reach of her small livelihood beyond their community.

Mary Grace shares her life philosophy with sincerity and optimism:

“Not all the time mag agad ta sa gobyerno! Walay kapoy samtang buhi pa. Tungod sa SLP na motivate kog balik nga mo bangon og ipadayun akong mga plano og nahimo kining tubag sa among kalisud. Samtang buhi pa ta, naa gihapon blessings magpaduol nato. Gi-enjoy ra nako ang kinabuhi samtang buhi pa ko, hantud makaya sa akong lawas, laban lang sa life.”

As we celebrate National Women’s Month, the story of Mary Grace Ocampo Danuco shines as a powerful reminder that every woman can rise, inspire, and transform lives not only for themselves, but for their families and communities as well.