SAP Beneficiary Opens Sari-Sari Store

Filipino resiliency is present even during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Like other Filipinos trying to survive this time, Evelyn Avenir, a Social Amelioration Program (SAP) beneficiary has found a way to maximize the money that was given to her by opening a Sari-Sari store.

Evelyn was one of the 6,349 beneficiaries of the first tranche of the SAP payout of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City who received P6,000.

Evelyn, a resident of the barangay said that she used half of the cash subsidy to her family’s basic needs and invested the other half as capital for her business.

“Ganahan ko nga ang nadawat nako nga ayuda sa gobyerno dili lang dali mahurot, mao nga gigamit nako ang katunga ani sa puhunan sa akong gamay nga sari-sari store aron motuyok kini ug molambo ang gamay namo nga panginabuhian (I would like that the cash subsidy given by the government would not just be easily depleted, that is why I invested half of the amount in our small store so that the money can be rolled and the main source of our livelihood will prosper),” said Evelyn

Evelyn’s husband is a jeepney driver. He is the breadwinner of the family but due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s strict health protocols implemented her husband was forced to stop driving.

With her husband’s livelihood compromised, she is determined to help in bringing home income in her household by selling groceries and cooked viands in her neighborhood.

“Sa una didto ko nagtinda gawas sa among balay pero apiki man pagbaligya didto mao nga nibalhin ko kini nga pwesto pero duol rapud sa among balay ug galuto pud mga sud-an. Karun makabaligya napud ko og mga utanon, karne ug isda nga gikompra nako sa Carbon market (At first, I started selling outside of our house but the space was cramped, that is why we moved in this new area just near our house and now I also cook viands. In this new location, I can already sell vegetables, meat and fish which I bought from Carbon market),” added Evelyn.

She dedicated her hard work for her four children who are currently studying. Her eldest son is now in college, the second and third sons are in high school, and her youngest daughter is an incoming grade six student.

She also admits that she resorted to loan sharks to finance her store but was a great burden for her family.

“Kada semana ang bayad ato mao nga naninguha ko nga matiwas to og bayad. Karun wala nako ni-utang usab (The payment was weekly and I tried to finish paying the debt. Now, I did not resort to lending again),” Evelyn said.