Vendor Stays Still Amid Pandemic

30-year old vendor, housewife and mother of three Jovelyn Maquez from Buhisan, Cebu City doubles her effort to make it through these trying times.

She is currently helping her husband make a living and put food on their table on a daily basis by selling homemade goods and sachet of coffees. Her husband is working at a glass center.

Jovelyn said that she decided to help since her husband’s income is not enough for them to survive.

“Lisud man kung magsalig lang ko sa akong bana. Dili gyud paigo ang iyang kita sa among panginanglan matag adlaw,” said Jovelyn.

However, despite the challenges that she and her family is facing, they are doing pretty good thanks to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) she said.

Before the pandemic, Jovelyn was among the recipient of DOLE’s Individual Starter Kit (ISK). ISK is a livelihood assistance package from the government that is worth P18,000. She then used the package to start her own sari-sari store at home.

Jovelyn, who received the package in 2019, was so happy that she was among the beneficiaries and was able to maximize it today where they most need it.

“Nakakita man ko ug opportunity panahon sa lockdown nga maninda pa gyud ug makaon sa gawas sa akong mga items sa sari-sari store. Naningkamot ko nga mapun-an akong kita pinaagi sa pagpamaligya ug tempura, french fries, hotdog ug fish ball,” Jovelyn shared.

Jovelyn also said that she is a high school graduate and it was very hard for them to sustain their daily needs when the height of the pandemic came.

Luckily, Jovelyn was among the beneficiaries and also through her hard work and dedication, she was able to put up her little store for additional income of their family. (MLC)