LA CARLOTA CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Recalling the time when her husband is still alive, Mrs. Emcee Suede-Uy need not to wake up early to catch up for the arrivals of fish vessels at the Hinigaran Bay to buy for assorted fishes to sell. Aside from waking up early, she has to take care of her children and perform household chores alone.
Life is very challenging nowadays for Emcee. She is now 50 years old and a widow with 5 children. Mrs. Uy is a resident of Brgy. III (Poblacion), La Carlota City, Negros Occidental. Fish vending has been the main source of income of the family however, her capital was used to buy for their needs especially during the imposition of Community Quarantine thus, she availed the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG).
Due to familiarity to the project, Mrs. Uy pursued the project which her husband had started. She had to wake at 5:00 am to fix everything in their home which includes preparing foods for her children and washing their clothes. At around 7:00 am she ensures to catch up the first trip of jeepney from La Carlota going to Hinigaran to buy assorted fishes. She usually spends Php 5,000.00 to Php 8,000.00 in one purchase.
Mrs. Uy has already mastered strategies on how to sell all the fishes so as to avoid losses. She is earning a monthly gross income estimated to php 30,000.00 less operating expenses amounting to Php 7,500.00 which gives her around Php 22,500.00 net income per month.
According to her, fish vending may not be as good as other fast earning businesses, but for as long as you put your heart on it, appreciate and give value to the little income you gain, it will surely be a successful venture.
“As a solo parent with five children, it is very hard for me to raise them and provide for their basic needs but with the help of our Almighty God and my family, surely no obstacles I can’t survive. I am very thankful to DSWD-SLP, LGU of La Carlota City for the opportunity of providing us capital assistance to continue my business that sustains all of our needs. I am also thankful to my eldest daughter in assisting and managing our business especially on how to budget our earnings,” she added.
She further expressed how a solo-parent situation makes life more challenging. Emcee said, “I always motivate myself. I know that solo parenting will not be easier compared to when you have someone to rely on. However, in the absence of a partner, I realized the value of time and money. I exert extra efforts to provide for the needs of my kids. My family is my inspiration and motivation to overcome the challenges of life especially during this pandemic.”/
credits to rjsalinas and SLP Negros Occ