Si Hossana Brigole Vargas, 40, ang presidente ng Palbong Farmers Association sa Brgy. Batong Buhay, Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Ang asosasyon ay sumali noong 2015 at naaprubahan noong 2017. Sa kasalukuyan, si Hossana ay nakaka-apat na cycle na ng pagtatanim simula nang maging miyembro ng Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Noong unang cycle, ginamit ni Hossana ang puhunan na Php 10,000 na Seed Capital Fund sa pagbili ng abono at iba pang kagamitan sa kanyang bukid. Nang dumating ang ikalawang cycle, naisipan niya na dagdagan ang pinagkakakitaan kaya naman nagpasya itong bumili ng mga biik na aalagaan. Dito naranasan ni Hossana ang pinakamabigat na hamon sa kanya bilang isang magsasaka. “Noong 2^nd cycle, bale hinati ko ‘yung puhunan ko. Kalahati sa maisan na dalawang ektarya at kalahati sa babuyan,” panimulang salaysay ni Hossana.

“Kung kailan pagulang na ‘yung mga mais, na malaki na siya, inatake siya ng mga daga, ng mga peste sa loob lang ng dalawang gabi. Kinain talaga mula tuktok hanggang dulo. Pagpunta namin doon noong unang araw, konti lang yung bawas. Noong pangalawang araw, as in totally inubos ng daga. Kinain lahat. Walang itinira. 15 days na lang aanihin na sana. Wala talaga kaming napakinabangan,” kwento niya.

“Noong time na ‘yun, nanghina ako syempre bilang tao. Muntik na ako magpakamatay. Buti na lang ‘nung iinom na sana ako ng lason, buti na lang naramdaman ng mister ko. Kaya ayun umiyak ako humihingi na lang ako ng panalangin. Sabi ko ipag-pray mo ako. Hindi ko kaya ‘to. Kasi ang laki ng gastos namin doon nasa Php 70,000 tapos ganun ganun na lang. Dalawang gabi lang tapos inubos na ng mga pesteng daga,” hinagpis ni Hossana.  

“Pero salamat sa Diyos dahil mayroon din namang pambawi. Yung mga baboy na inalagaan ko, iyon ‘yung naging daan para makabawi ako sa mga utang ko sa mais tsaka at the same time ‘yung utang ko sa SLP,” dagdag niya.  Mula sa kinita sa SLP, napalago na ni Hossana ang kanyang bukid at babuyan. Nakapagpundar na din silang mag-asawa ng sariling welding machine kung saan tumatanggap na ng kontrata ang asawa.

BIlib din si Hossana sa kapwa mga miyembro niya na nakapagpundar na din ng kani-kanilang kagamitan at hanapbuhay. Masaya din siya na nabayaran na nila ang paunang utang sa SLP noong ikalawang cycle pa lamang. “Gusto naming patunayan na ang mga taga-Palbong ay hindi lang magaling mangutang. Ang panimulang tulong ng gobyerno ay ginamit talaga namin upang umangat ang buhay,” ani Hossana.

Masasabi din niya na ang asosasyon ay handang tumulong sa kapwang nangangailangan. “Ang project ng SLP, hindi lang kami ang natulungan niyan. Nakatulong din sa labas na hindi miyembro. Minsan may isusugod sa ospital dito sa amin pero walang pera pambili ng krudo ng sasakyan. Eh gabi na noon. Nakahiram agad siya sa amin at naitakbo agad sa ospital noong gabing iyon din ‘yung may sakit,” kwento ni Hossana.

Bilang miyembro naman ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program o 4Ps, hindi din niya nakakalimutan ang responsibilidad sa programa. Nakatatak at isinasabuhay niya ang mga natutunan sa Family Development Session. Ayon sa kanya, “Yung unang pinapangalagaan ko, bilang ako ay Parent Leader, ayoko na ako ang kakitaan nila na leader na hindi nagbabayad. Ayoko isipin nila na kapag bumagsak ka, magiging dahilan iyon para hindi ka makapagbayad. Kaya sinikap ko na maibalik kung ano man yung mga inutang ko. At ganun din ang lagi kong sinasabi sa mga members ko. Marami ding mga members na nasira yung mga tanim tulad nung isa. Pambayad niya sana sa utang niya sa asosasyon pero nasira din ng peste. Pero lagi ko lang sinasabi sa kanila na huwag niyo isipin na hindi niyo kaya. Kaya niyo ‘yan. Naumpisahan natin ito kaya matatapos natin ito na tagumpay. Walang talunan.”

Patuloy din ang pagbibigay-inspirasyon ni Hossana sa mga kapwa magsasaka na nakararanas din ng mga pagsubok. “Bilang magsasaka, kapag magsasaka ka kasi, para kang laging tumataya sa sugal. Hindi mo alam kung mananalo ka. Ang laki ng pinupusta mo, pero hindi mo sure kung mananalo ka. Pero bilang kaming mag-asawa ay magsasaka, ang masasabi ko lang ay fight fight lang! Laban lang ng laban! Kasi hindi naman laging talunan. Darating din naman na maganda din ‘yung ating ani. Hindi tayo papabayaan ng Diyos,” ani niya. Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang paglago ng hanapbuhay ni Hossana at ng ibang kasamahan niya sa asosasyon. ###

A mother has a heart of a soldier. It beats to protect her children. In its veins flow endless compassion and care. Its walls are strengthened by hope and grace. It sees the ugly and transforms it into a multitude of admirable beauty. Its muscles are collections of wisdom that reflects in the heart of her children.

Lilian Garcia, 46, a mother of four has survived countless defeat and has won numerous battles. She married at an early age and since then, she has been fighting to keep her family’s head above water. Her husband, a farmer, barely compensates to the lack of financial capacity to send all their children to school. But her sheer desire to fulfill her dream of seeing all the children finish their education fuels her motivation to fight harder.

A couple’s story

Farming was the major source of income the Garcia couple has in the early stage of their marriage. The meager amount they earn a day cannot cover daily expenses for a family of six. Aurello, her husband, had to wake up at four in the morning to fish so Lilian could vend the catch in hope of stretching their financial stick. Even with two sources of income, the couple barely met the needs of their family.

“Minsan talaga, noon, kapag walang wala na kami makuhanan ng pera, humihingi na din ako ng tulong sa mga magulang ko kapag meron silang extra,” recalled Lilian. Her determination was not weakened by her financial circumstance. Lilian is naturally resourceful. She shared, “ako talaga ang iniisip ko ay mapagkakakitaan parati. Ginawa ko talaga yung kinikita naming sa pagtatanim at pangingisda at yung tulong mula sa magulang ko, inipon ko para makapagtayo ng maliit na sari-sari store.”

The absence of electricity in their area in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro made it difficult for Lilian to manage the store at night. She remembered having to light up a small candle, hoping it would last until ten in the evening so she can save the money to buy another one.

Her family suffered a massive blow when one of her husband’s leg got paralyzed due to a dysfunction in the veins. Aurello had to stop farming for at least 3 months, which meant losing half of their earnings at that time. “Doon ako talaga sobrang nahirapan, kasi gastos sa gamot sa pang araw-araw pa, kaya talagang hirap na hirap ako,” shared Lilian.

A shed of light

The Sustainable Livelihood Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development aims to alleviate poverty by providing financial assistance for livelihood purposes. Lilian is fortunate to be granted a total amount of Php 10,000.00 as a start-up capital for a business. She used the capital to add items to sell in her sari-sari store. Sitio Balagnan is situated far off the town of Abra de Ilog where most markets are.

Residents in their community have to ride a boat for an hour and a half to get to town to stock up groceries consumable in a week or a month.  This gave Lilian an idea to begin retailing rice and other goods in their sitio to help people save time from visiting town for groceries. The sari-sari store and rice retail began to flourish and her monthly income increased. Now, her family has enough money to spend for their daily expenses.

Money became a bit tighter when two of her children stepped in college. A huge chunk of the budget had to be allocated for their studies. Instead of having one of them to stop schooling, she welcomed the opportunity of venturing into another business, the selling of ready-to-wear clothes. Lilian then had extra money saved which she used to buy clothes to sell.

With a clear goal to increase her profit, she was able to earn the capital back and kept all her business afloat. As today, three of her children have already graduated and two of them are now employed. Her store earns steadily and she continuously saves for future use. She assures to deposit a fixed amount of money on a monthly basis.

Sharing the success

Lilian’s dream of seeing all her children complete their college degrees is nearing its realization. She has her youngest at junior highschool and part of her savings will be allocated to his college studies. Lilian proudly said, “Umalwan na ang buhay naming at patuloy pa din sa pagsasaka ang mister ko para malaki pa din ang kita namin sa buwanan.” 

SLP has provided a platform for success to the Garcia family and Lilian is now ready and determined to inspire the community with her story. She is a leader of 25 other grantees and serves as a guide as to how they can spend the cash grants wisely. Lilian has fought adversities and stood resilient against challenges brought by financial incapacities. Like a real soldier, she fought and now marches on the road to the glorious finish to her greatest battle yet – influencing the whole community into becoming a success in their own business venture. ###

Contributor:

Dwight Macabuhay

Bangbangalon Consumers Cooperative, an active SLP Association, continuously looks for opportunities for additional income-generating activities. Through the help of the Implementing Project Development Officer in the municipality, the SLPA was granted a Skills Training on Meat Processing sponsored by the Negosyo Center of the Department of Trade and Industry. Some of them have already undergone a training but they still want to learn new ideas and techniques in the industry.

The training was conducted last October 26-27, 2018 at the office of the Cooperative in Bangbangalon Looban, Boac, Marinduque. Aside from the thirty participants from the said SLPA, five non-members were also able to attend the training. This act of inclusivity is an evidence of their social responsibility – extending help to other members of the community.

Mr. Adonis T. Analista, Provincial Coordinator of SLP, graced the event as he gave his message to the participants. The Boac Negosyo Center Coordinator, Ms. Sarah Jane Narvaez, was also present alongside the Project Development Officers, Municipal Link, and Social Welfare Assistant of DSWD.

Mrs. Nenita Gonzales of the School of Technology of Marinduque State College served as the resource person. The school has been a partner of SLP in its trainings. A pre-test was given to assess the level of knowledge of participants in meat processing, followed by a discussion on the topic.

The two-day training provided an avenue for the participants to learn how to make meat products such as ham, tocino, patties, siomai, and embutido. Participants were grouped for the actual activities; they were assisted by MSC students who were with the trainers throughout the training. On the second day, they cooked all the processed meat and garnished them using their own creativity.

The Provincial Coordinator of Boac Negosyo Center, Ms. Elayzah R. Mantaring, did the food tasting and selected the best among the output. Participants also shared their experience throughout the training. Certificates and token of appreciation were given to the resource persons for giving assistance and sharing their expertise. ###

Contributor:

Pamela C. Ligas

Project Development Officer II, Marinduque

Bawat tao ay pinapangarap na mabigyan ng maginhawang pamumuhay ang kanyang sariling pamilya. Para sa mga naninirahan sa malalayong probinsya, lakas ng loob at pagpupursigi ang tanging pinanghahawakan upang makamtan ang pangarap na ito.

Si Dalmacio Rey Rivera, 54 na taong gulang, at ang kanyang maybahay na si Ma. Evy Rivera, 51 taong gulang, ay mga residente ng Brgy. Taguilos, Cajidiocan, Romblon. Biniyayaan sila ng apat na anak na sina Eduardo, Francis, Daniel, at Dennis.

Bago mapasali sa Sustainable Livelihood Program ng Department of Social Welfare and Development noong taong 2017, si Dalmacio ay naghahanapbuhay bilang isang mangingisda.

Napili niya na magkaroon ng marine engine, isang makinang nagtutulak sa bangka o iba pang sasakyang pandagat, sapagkat mayroon na siyang bangkang pampalaot. Ang prokyetong ito ay napondohan sa ilalim ng Seed Capital Fund na nagkakahalag ng PHP 14,200.00.

Ang makinang ito ay inihandog sa kanya noong 2017 at agad namang ikinabit sa kanyang bangka. “Kahit gusto naming mangisda sa malayo dahil mas maraming huli doon, hindi kakayanin ng bangka ko. Masyadong maliit. Minsan ang ginagawa ko eh sinusundan ko yung mas malalaking bangka para makilagay ng mga huli,” salaysay ni Dalmacio.

Kung ang ibang mangingisda ay gumagamit ng langis na krudo, si Dalmacio ay bumili ng carburetor, isang tubo na ginagamit upang maghalo ang hangin at gatong sa makina. Sa paraang ito, nakatitipid siya ng PHP 700.00 bawat byahe kumpara sa paggamit ng krudo. Dito makikita na ang isa pang magandang puhunan bukod sa pera ay ang kakayahan na maging maparaan. Dahil isa nang ganap na bangkang de-motor ang bangkang papalaot ni Dalmacio, kumikita siya ng PHP 3000.00 hanggang PHP 5000.00 bawat byahe.

Ayon kay Evy, kumikita sila ng PHP 40,000.00 kada buwan dahil nakakapangisda na sila dalawang beses kada linggo. “Gusto namin ipaabot ang aming pasasalamat sa gobyerno dahil tinulungan nila kami. Isang beses lang sa buong linggo kami nakakapangisda noon pero ngayon na may makina na ang bangka namin eh naging dalawang beses na,” aniya Evy.

Mas lalong naging matatag ang kanyang paniniwala na ang lahat ng pagsisikap ng isang tao ay may magandang ibubunga. Sa kasalukuyan ay pinag-iipunan ng pamilya ang pagbili ng panibagong bangkang de-motor upang mas lumago ang kanilang kabuhayan. ###

Contributor:

Francis Salas, Project Development Officer II, Romblon

TORRIJOS, MARINDUQUE — The Sustainable Livelihood Program conducted a skills training on bag weaving last August 6-10, 2018. The Sibuyao Little Baguio SLP Association, one of the SLPAs in the municipality, together with some non-members, participated in the activity.

In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry – Negosyo Center, Local Government Unit of Torrijos, and Barangay LGU of Sibuyao, the objective of the training was to give additional knowledge and skills to the participants, and train them to improve the quality of their products.

The SLPA demand for baskets is perceived to be higher these days due to the strict enforcement of plastic ban ordinance in the municipality.

Contributor:

Fatima Concepcion, Project Development Officer II, Marinduque

Si Aris Magramo, 32, at ang kanyang maybahay na si Ann, 32, ay tubong Brgy. Balogo, Calatrava, Romblon. Mayroon silang dalawang anak na may edad na siyam at isang taong gulang. Bago maging benepisyaryo ng Department of Social Welfare and Development sa ilalim ng Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), si Aris ay namamasukan bilang security guard sa siyudad ng Caloocan, Metro Manila.

Noong 2017, napagdesisyunan ni Aris na bumalik sa Balogo upang masubaybayan ang asawang maselan ang pagbubuntis sa ikalawa nilang anak. “Nag-baka sakali lang ako sa Maynila. Naisip ko na may bangka naman na ako sa Balogo kaya bumalik na lang ako”, ani Aris. Siya ay sumailalim na sa Skills Training for Motorized Banca Assembly cum Fish Net Assembly and Repair ng SLP bago pa ito lumuwas ng Maynila upang makipagsapalaran.

“Maraming projects ang pagpipilian. May babuyan, manukan. Ang pinili naming ay fishing dahil pamilya kami ng mga mangingisda”, kwento ni Ann. Ang SLP ang nagbigay ng starter kit na naglalaman ng makina ng bangka, lambat, set gillnet, epoxy, pako, at iba pang materyales sa paggawa ng bangka.

“Bale nung February 2017 ginamit ko na agad ‘yung bangkang pampalaot. Maganda ang kita kaya Awa ng Diyos ay nakapagpagawa ako ng isa pang bangka nung Abril”, ayon kay Aris. Ang halaga ng isang bangka ay naaayon sa sukat nito. Ang maliit na bangka (hindi pa kasama ang makina) ay nagkakahalaga ng Php 20,000.00 habang ang malaki naman ay umaabot ng Php 40,000.00 hanggang Php 45,000.00 depende sa laki nito. Ang kanyang dalawang bangka ay nadagdagan pa ng isa noong taong ding iyon.

“Marami nang nagsabi na bibilhin daw nila itong bangkang bigay ng SLP. Ito kasi ang pinakamalaki dito sa amin kaya tinatawag nilang ‘hitter’ dahil napakaganda sa panghuli talaga nito. Sabi ko naman e kahit na offer-an pa ako ng isandaang libo, hindi ko ito ipagbibili. Ito ang swerte sa amin e”, kwento ni Aris.

Mula sa Php 18,000.00 na kabuuang kita (gross income) ni Aris kada buwan noong security guard pa siya, ngayon ay kumikita siya ng Php 12,000.00 (net income) kada linggo sa pangingisda. “Bale ‘yung sweldo ko ‘nung nasa Maynila ako e mababawasan pa ng renta sa bahay at pagkain. Kaya Php 3,000.00 na lang kada buwan ang naipapadala ko sa misis ko kaya kulang talaga. Pero dito sa amin, ‘yung Php 12,000.00 ay akin na ‘yun. Bawas na dun ‘yung para sa dalawang tauhan ko at iba pang gastos”, salaysay ni Aris.

Si Aris ay pumapalaot dalawang beses sa isang araw: simula 3 AM hanggang 9 AM at 4PM hanggang 10 PM. “Puyat talaga pero kailangan na maaga kasi doon naglalabasan ang mga isda”, ani Aris. Hindi naman problema kay Aris ang pagbebenta ng mga isdang nahuli dahil mayroon ng buyer na nakaabang sa kanyang mga huli. “Pag limang kilo lang ‘yung isda, binebenta ko na sa mga kapitbahay. Nagpupunta sila dito sa amin at nagtatanong kung may pwede ba silang pang-ulam. Binebenta ko na”, dagdag ni Aris.

Matapos ang halos dalawang taon mula nang maging kalahok ng SLP si Aris, “Nabayaran na namin ‘yung motor na hinuhulugan at nakapagpatayo din ng maliit na kubo para sa dalawang anak namin dahil nga mainit dito sa bahay. Napalitan ko na din ng mas malaking ref ‘yung ginagamit ko ngayon sa tindahan. Malakas kasi ang kita ng softdrinks sa amin”, salaysay ni Ann na nagpapatakbo ng maliit na tindahan sa harap ng kanilang bahay.

Bilang ilaw ng tahanan, ibinahagi ni Ann na mahalagang matutunan ng katulad nilang benepisyaryo ang tamang pagbabadyet at pag-iipon. Ayon sa kanya, “Ang kita kasi dapat hinahati ‘yan sa mga gastusin at savings. Hindi dapat mawawala sa paglilista ang ipon. Hindi naman kasi pang-habambuhay ay aasa na kami sa gobyerno. Tsaka mahirap mabaon sa utang”. Masayang ibinahagi ni Ann na dumami ang kanyang paninda kasabay ng paglago ng huling isda ni Aris.

“Bale ang pinag-iipunan naman naming ngayon ay ‘yung pagpapaayos nitong bahay. Tumutulo na kasi siya lalo na kapag umuulan”, kwento ni Ann nang tanungin kung ano pa ang nais maipundar sa mga susunod na taon.

“Nagpapasalamat ako na buo pa din kami bilang asosasyon. Lahat kami nangingisda pa din. Napansin ko kasi na ‘yung ibang asosasyon, hindi na sila nagpatuloy”, salaysay ni Aris nang tanungin ang kalagayan niya bilang isang mangingisda sa barangay. “Hindi naman lahat ay kita. Magastos din mag-maintain ng bangka. Labor pa lang ng isang tao umaabot na ng Php 450.00 kada araw”, kwento ni Aris nang tanungin kung paano niya inaalagaan ang mga bangka. Taun-taon ay kailangan din itong pinturahan upang manatiling maganda at matibay ang mga bangka.

Hindi din mawawala ang panganib na kinakaharap ng mga mangingsidang tulad ni Aris. Ayon sa kanya, ang lambat na pang-tulingan ay ginagamit talaga kapag malalaki ang alon. Naikwento ni Aris na mayroong isang pagkakataon na nakahuli ng halos 180 kilo ng isda ang kanyang kapatid gamit ang maliit niyang bangka kung kaya’t muntikan na itong lumubog sa kalagitnaan ng dagat. “Awa ng Diyos at na-rescue naman sila. Palakasan lang talaga ng loob,” ani Aris.

Ayon kay Ann, nasanay na ito sa trabaho ng asawa. “Dasal lang talaga. Kasi magugutom kami kung hindi siya papalaot”, salaysay niya. Maging ang pamilya ni Ann ay mga mangingisda kaya naman lumaki itong nangarap din mamuhunan sa bangkang pangisda. Sa katunayan, marunong din siyang mangisda ngunit hindi na nakakasama dahil sa tindahan at dalawang anak nila.

“Walang makakapantay doon sa kasama mo ang pamilya mo, nakikita mong lumalaki ang mga anak mo. Mahirap man paminsan-minsan, sa kanila ka huhugot ng lakas ng loob para tumayo”, ayon kay Aris nang tanungin kung ano ang pinakamalaking naitulong ng SLP sa kanyang pamilya.  ###

Convenience stores are often overshadowed by giant supermarkets in the city but for Sitio Malinsuno in Balabac, Palawan, sari-sari stores are important part of the community.

Being a thriving small town in the islet, Sitio Malinsuno is situated in the southernmost part of the province. All goods and services from the mainland are transported by water. Local residents literally rough their way to Barangay Buliluyan, (the last barangay at the southernmost tip of mainland Palawan) or to Barangay Rio Tuba (the most developed barangay in the municipality of Bataraza) to get their basic commodities.

Adding to the difficulty in transportation is that boats used to buy basic goods in the mainland are the same boats used for fishing as livelihood of the residents.

Aiding the Challenge through Small-Scale Enterprise

To aid in the inconvenient transportation of goods and services, the Department of Social Welfare and Development through the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) brought an alternative livelihood to residents in 2013.

A seed capital fund was released to 30 members of the Malinsuno Island SEA-K Association. After two years, members were able to pay the rollback amount to DSWD and were able to save Php 5,000.00 each. Then, majority of the members decided to pull out their savings to put up a community store in the village.

The Birth of Tindahan ng Malinsuno

Tindahan ng Malinsuno SEA-K Association began its operation in 2015 with two objectives: to sustain the benefits gained from the seed capital fund and to make basic commodities readily available and affordable in their community.

Aside from raising the initial capital for this project, the Malinsuno Island SEA-K Association members strengthened their capability as an organization to manage a community enterprise.

Through the assistance of SLP and other agencies, innovative policies were formulated through participatory processes. Aside from establishing the community’s credibility as an association, this also served as an avenue for the government to provide welfare assistance to the remote areas.

The continuous partnership between the partner stakeholders and the association led to the increase in their assets. After a year of operation, the community store was able to gain profit enough for each member to have a fair share of Php 8,000.00 and also to earn enough capital for the next cycle of its operation.

By the end of 2017, each member’s share has rocketed to an increase from a minimum of Php 10,000.00 up to a maximum of Php 14,000.00. At present, the community store is still rolling out for another cycle and its assets continues to increase.

Empowering Women, Empowering Community

Majority of members of the Malinsuno Island SEA-K Association is women. The implementation of SLP generated employment to these women. The birth of the community store organized and empowered the women as they now earn and provide income for their families. Aside from managing their household, they became key players in this microenterprise. Every member has his/her assigned schedule to man the store every day to sustain its operations.

This collective effort has brought a drastic change in the purchasing power and even the mode of purchase of residents. From crossing the sea to buy their day-to-day commodities for a relatively higher price, they are now able to acquire these on cheaper prices. In effect to the community, this has also neutralized the product pricing in the islet as other enterprises also lowered their pricing.

The birth of a convenience store that provided products at lower prices and supplied the needs of the local residents without them crossing the sea to go to mainland is a clear manifestation of the impact of small-scale enterprise to the community. ###

Contributor:

DSWD – SLP Palawan

Proposals, vouchers, attendance list, reports, and articles to name a few. Any office and field-based worker knows how these can turn into a mess as soon as they start piling up on their small desk space. The boss then asks for a certain document and the employee does not know where to find it. Government records are primary sources of information thus, these must be kept and protected at any cost. Sustainable Livelihood Program in Marinduque has the right solution for it – recordkeeping.

Sonia De Leon and Marieta Manzo, Regional Program Coordinator and Provincial Monitoring and Evaluation Officer respectively, checked and monitored all records per municipality to ensure that documents are filed, labeled, and update properly. The initiative also aimed to provide technical assistance on proper filing system to help Project Development Officers (PDOs) organize their files with efficiency and transparency. The strategy also aimed to help other staff to retrieve documents with utmost ease.

All documents received and sent outside were logged for easier tracking and monitoring. PDOs are very keen on recordkeeping as it is imperative in the government organization. Here are some techniques in recordkeeping and filing procedures:

Step 1: Receiving the document. If it is a letter or document that came through snail mail, record it in the “mail received” column and write the complete date when you received the certain type of document.

Step 2: Action. Forward the letter/document to the addressee. If there is no addressee indicated, ask the sender for necessary details.

Step 3: Follow up. Check if the letter or document has been dealt with.

Step 4: Collecting documents for filing. All documents with at least two receiving copies must be collected in a filing tray.

Step 5: Filing. Choose a regular time to file every day to avoid unnecessary piling up of documents. A convenient filing system may also be used.

Here are some techniques to maintain a good filing system:

1. Keep pending documents in a clean tray. Do not leave them lying on desks or shelves to avoid misplacement.
2. File documents regularly.
3. Cover old files that has been worn or torn. Boxes and lever arch folders may also help hold documents properly.
4. Put everything in a cabinet or drawer to avoid loss of confidential documents and prevent dusts.

Keep in mind that little things matter. Start recordkeeping now!

Contributor: 

Marieta J. Manzo, Project Development Officer II-PMEO, Marinduque