Enterprising women in San Dionisio, Iloilo took interest in growing and processing of herbal plants since 2013. Their early business venture, however was a failure for lack of proper trainings and facilities.

With the help of Kalahi-CIDSS and other government agencies, they gradually got their footholds.

Kalahi-CIDSS, one of the government’s poverty reduction program being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development found out that only 10% of the projects it had funded responds to the livelihood needs of the Typhoon Yolanda affected communities.

Former OFW Rhodora Veloso was then struggling to meet her needs after she returned to San Dionisio, Iloilo. Her meager income after returning to her hometown pushed her to venture in herbal planting and processing.

Rhodora, one of the members of the Bundolan Rural Improvement Association recalled that their first venture in herb processing failed. “First production namon wala nag succeed, nag failure amon marketing strategy because ang amon mga product wala ka pasar (In our first production, we did not succeed in our market. We failed in our marketing strategy because the quality of our dried products did not meet the standards), she said.

Her interests in growing herbs began when she worked in the Middle East. She recalled that most of their food were flavored with herbs. And she sees no reason why she could not plant and process herbs when they have a productive land.

“Gin present man sang amon mga association presidents sa ila barangay nga ga pangayo kami sang bulig sa Kalahi para sa processing facility (Our association presidents presented the proposal to their respective barangays and informed them that we asking assistance from Kalahi-CIDSS for a processing facility), she added.

San Dionisio Herbal Growers Economic Enterprise Association President Amalia Battalones could not help but agree to Rhodora.

“Sang 2013 naga start na kami sang amon production pero isa sa mga problema namon ang amon products indi namon ma sustain tungod kulang sa facilities (We already started our production in 2013 but our problem was we could not sustain our products because of lack of facilities).”

They also aimed in having their farm certified as Good Agricultural Practice by the Department of Agriculture. This will make their products acceptable to different markets in Iloilo and commands a better price.

Leah Canto, president of the Bundolan Rural Improvement Association said they have planted different kinds of herbs and they need a facility to process their products. The facility could greatly help them in the production and processing of herbs.
With a goal of providing holistic and long lasting social services, Kalahi-CIDSS through the funding support of Asian Development Bank allocated funds for the communities to recover their livelihood.

At first, the different associations were only asking for drying facilities alone but later they realized they also need a structure to house their equipment.

Recognizing the importance of their needs, Barangay Bundolan was allocated with more than P1.5 million from Kalahi-CIDSS for their proposed projects.

The projects include a building and equipment such as dryer and dessicator. It is not only Bundolan which can avail of the project but the entire 29 barangays in San Dionisio.

The association entered into a usufruct agreement with the land owner as site of their infrastructure and farm. Though, they have also other farms in different barangays.

Leah said the livelihood and enterprise project of Kalahi-CIDSS can benefit them greatly especially the women who used to have no work. The project can help the women in their daily expenses such as sending the children to school.

The provision of livelihood and enterprise projects to Barangay Bundolan will inspire the women to continue growing herbs and earn extra income, said Rhodora.

If they have produce, they can sell them and earn extra income. It will likewise help them in their economic status of their family, she added.

With the help from the different government agencies, coupled with the determination and perseverance, these women will become better economic providers in their respective homes.# (Kalahi-CIDSS/SMU)