Lubuagan, Kalinga—With every muddy step of the way in Barangay Upper Uma due to its mountainous terrain, residents in this quaint village have always looked forward to turning their challenges into opportunities for growth and success.
Despite the mud-covered pathways, with the residents all too familiar with their footwear caught with golden tint in every step—thus the“Golden Shoes”—they see it a blessing in disguise, as it paved the way for members of the Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) Upper Uma Lakson Pamana Association to find ways to hurdle such roadblocks.
In 2023, the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Field Office – Cordillera Administrative Region (DSWD FO CAR) provided a grant worth P300,000.00 to the thirty-member SLPA for Chicken Egg Production and Retail Store of Poultry Products. After periods of assessment, support and commitment from the Barangay Local Government Unit (LGU) and other stakeholders poured in to help prosper the local business venture through cooperation and hard work.
“Ustu hachi, ma ilola lin, kaachuwanhicha members ket lappun ammumi ilonji man business, kalan mi hi chamu, ngem thank you cha allan kakadwa ud SWAD ti laanus chan langisuru si koon mi ray gey pitak kesa mi ket alalusan yu chikami. Iyulin miwon chayaw ta sapay koma ta iyulin Apochus bendisyun kanchikayo, (“We are thankful that you have taken your time and patience with us in engaging in this business. We bring back the glory to God who will bless you.”) said Micah Raguro, a member. “We are grateful that our barangay has been chosen as one of the beneficiaries,” said Punong Barangay Jeremy Anton. He added: “This is not only a business to us that provides revenue, but it contributes to the betterment of the community by giving easy access to the necessities of our constituents, and a wider knowledge among the members.”
With the financial assistance, the SLPA was able to purchase farm supplies and equipment, poultry feeds, build housing cages, and water system, among others, to jumpstart the layer poultry farming enterprise. However, just after two months of operations, a typhoon severely affected the project, leaving some chickens and the poultry farm’s water system laid waste in its wake. Nevertheless, the members remained steadfast and rebuilt the damaged facilities to let the project thrive once again. The spirit of binnadang (communal work and cooperation) was in full show, with not only the members of the SLPA but of the whole community working together, from the transportation needs to the construction and organizational requirements of the poultry farm and store.
Currently, the business provides a good and steady stream of income to its members as well as a sustainable source of poultry supplies in the locality, proving its success in reaching the goals of the group at the same time serving as an inspiration to many in the community.# Christian Robert M. Sandoval (AOIV, SMU), with reports from Aurelia Awing, Risel May Banasan, Benny Fowaya, Katherine Selvino, and Mayrivin Banawag (SWAD-Kalinga SLP)
