Amidst the rugged, breathtaking peaks of Ifugao, where the mountains seem to scrape the sky and the wind carries centuries of stories, lies Barangay Epeng—a community long defined by its isolation. For generations, life here was a relentless uphill battle. A simple trip to buy rice or sell a harvest was no small errand; it was an exhausting pilgrimage that tested body, mind, and spirit. Children pursued education at great cost, leaving home to live in boarding houses far from family, while parents bore the quiet weight of worry, stretching every peso and every effort to keep their dreams alive.
Then, in the midst of this hardship, a spark of hope arrived. The Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office CAR (DSWD FO CAR) came not with grand promises, but with an opportunity—a chance to transform lives from within. On 18 October 2023, twenty-eight Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries gathered with a shared purpose: to forge a future together. They named themselves the Epeng Alammungan Association, a word that means “family” in their language—a promise that no one would stand alone again. Armed with a Seed Capital Fund of ₱420,000.00, they dared to dream: to bring the market to their doorstep through the retail sale of rice and groceries.
The beginning was anything but easy. In January 2024, hauling their first stock of goods from distant towns tested their strength and resolve. Men and women, young and old, carried sacks and boxes over steep paths, their hands blistered and backs bent under the weight. Yet, no one faltered. Every step was a testament to their unity, their determination to rise above the isolation that had long defined their lives. For an entire year, the people of Epeng worked as one—silent, tireless, and unwavering.
Their labor bore fruit beyond imagination. By December 2024, the Association had generated ₱2,037,477.00 in sales, with a net income of ₱117,932.00 for the year. Numbers on paper, perhaps modest, but for Epeng, they were revolutionary. They proved that collective effort could move mountains—literally and figuratively. The Association carefully allocated funds for operations, capital, and an emergency reserve—a safety net the community had never known. The remaining profit was shared among members, tangible proof that their sweat and sacrifice had been worth it.
The second year brought even greater progress. From January to June 2025, the Association achieved ₱1,086,907.00 in sales, with a net income of ₱111,812.27 in six months. But the real triumph was not in numbers—it was in the lives touched. Through their emergency fund,which serves as a financial aid given to those in need. They supported a member undergoing a medical procedure, comforted a mother grieving a child, and assisted families with hospitalized loved ones. In Epeng, no one faced hardship alone. True to their name, Alammungan—family—the Association became a pillar of solidarity, empathy, and resilience.
Today, the store is more than a business—it is a lifeline, a sanctuary, and a living symbol of the community’s unbreakable spirit. Families now shop without fear, assured that in moments of hardship, their neighbors and the association will stand beside them. Guided by a simple yet compassionate credit policy, no household is left without access to basic necessities. Members may avail of store credit without interest, within a set limit and with clear accountability through agreed penalties for late payments—ensuring both dignity and sustainability. What was once a barangay defined by distance and struggle has become a community shaped by courage, unity, and renewed hope.
The road to Epeng remains steep and winding, but the journey has changed. Through perseverance and shared purpose, the people of Epeng have shown that even in the most isolated corners, progress is not just possible—it is unstoppable.#DSWD FO CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Joanna Marie M. Caponpon-Apostol, PDO II – SLP SMO with Racquel M. Dag-o, Monitoring PDO – SLP IFUGAO
