Having a child with disability makes her stagnant for many years.
Leobelia Ganancial, 54, of Brgy. Nipa, Concepcion, Iloilo could not imagine how she has overcome the struggles she has been through in taking care of her handicapped girl child, who is now 14 years old and Grade 9 student of Lo-ong National High School.
The couple is blessed with two children. Leobelia said she spent most of her time teaching her eldest son and handicapped child to work independently because not all the time she and husband Rey, who works as wielder in a private company, are in good health.
During her free time, Leobelia sells Avon products to her neighbors so she has some extra money to save in case of emergency. Her income however could not even sustain their daily needs.
Since their barangay is located along coastal area, fishing is the primary livelihood of every household because they are abundant with marine resources particularly the squids.
The Local Government Unit of Concepcion saw big potential at the area on squid ring production thus, they organized fishermen into an organization called Nipa Squid Based-Product Association of Concepcion.
Leobelia was able to join in the association and elected as the treasurer. The association has now 33 active members.
To enhance and empower all members of the association, the LGU tapped the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in conducting several trainings on squid production and handling while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) funded the project.
Through ‘bayanihan system’, the association has able to build their own production center. Every trice a week, the members produced products out from 15 kilos squids. Every production, the association can net up to P 1,500. Each pack could be sold at P 140 pesos.
Leobelia said with their perseverance, their eldest son was already graduated from a two-year computer course and currently working as utility at his father’s company.
“I have improved my self-confidence as well as I’ am empowered through the help of SLP. Now, we improving our packaging with label and expiration date so we could export our products”, she said./dswd6//Montesa G. Caoyonan
