The first CBO that was assessed is the MAPALAD-BALETE SLPA and Rice Trading in Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. It was formed and organized on September 4, 2018, and funded last February 11, 2019. Initially, the Association’s project was the Palay Production and Rice Trading including the selling of Agricultural products with Php 210,000.00 as seed capital fund. The association consists of fourteen (14) female members who are also Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries. However, in the first year of livelihood implementation, they were unlucky and lost almost 70% due to the African Swine Flu or ASF. They were even tested by time because of the global pandemic that happened in 2020. This incident did not hamper their desire for success but instead used it as a driving force to further continue and make the organization strong.

With hard work and perseverance, the MAPALAD-BALETE SLPA was able to return the lost investment and produce sufficient supply to accommodate the demands of a larger market. Because of this, the SLP Project Development Officer II saw their potential and helped them even more by referring the SLPA to the Enhance Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program whose priority is to link Community-Based Organizations/ organized associations as potential suppliers in the community.

The EPAHP is a convergence program strategy that aims to help eradicate hunger, ensure food and nutrition security, reduce poverty in urban and rural communities, including marginalized communities, and establish sustainable agriculture by 2030. The main objectives of the EPAHP Program are to 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.

The MAPALAD-BALETE SLPA and Rice Trading is one of the lucky CBOs that were linked thru the EPAHP as a service provider for the Procurement of the Goods in the MIMAROPA Youth Center (MYC) in the Municipality of Bansud, Oriental Mindoro for the last quarter of 2022. A total of 𝐏𝐡𝐩 𝟒𝟔𝟒,𝟗𝟏𝟕.𝟎𝟎 worth of goods was awarded to them. Through this, the association greatly increased their income and found confidence in themselves that their association could grow even further and compete with bigger suppliers. For the year 2023, a total of 𝐏𝐡𝐩 𝟐,𝟏𝟎𝟗,𝟓𝟔𝟗.𝟎𝟎 worth of goods was also awarded to them.

Moreover, the MAPALAD-BALETE SLPA and Rice Trading express their gratitude to DSWD through the EPAHP for obtaining knowledge and opportunities to increase the productivity of their organization. They are confident that they will be able to provide a good life for their families and children in the future. They are also grateful to the DTI and the Local Government of Gloria for their support in the development of their business.