This Women’s Association Waited 3 Years to Receive Their Profit, and It’s Worth It
Christmas celebration for the members of a women’s association in Southern Leyte was made merrier after the group finally received their earnings in their poultry enterprise.
The Maalagaron Abtik Responsable Ug Ehemplo nga Kababayen-na (MARE) CARES Hinapo Women’s Association has received their share from the profit of their chicken egg production business, after about two and a half years.
The group from Barangay Hinapo, Tomas Oppus is composed of 23 members and is being supported by the Department of Agriculture’s Special Area for Agricultural Development.
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P2.8-Million in Total Gross Sales
MARE Cares has been engaged in the poultry production for about two and a half year. Within that time, they have recorded a total gross sale of P2,754,750.00.
Meanwhile, their net income was P312,975.00, (after removing expenses). This was equally shared among its 23 active members.
The group has decided to delay dividing their income in order to have it reinvested, or prioritizing the expansion of their poultry stock and stabilizing their operations before taking home a share.
Jessica Marie Escaño-Pano, a former municipal mayor who helped organize the association in its early years, recalled the trials that the group faced in the past years and hope for its continued success.
She said she never expected the organization to reach five years, and about three years as SAAD beneficiary.
“It is heartening to look back and realize that after years of challenges, our efforts have grown into a stable and meaningful livelihood,” Pano said in their local dialect.
The Long-Awaited Profit
For the association who have waited years just to have their profit, their portion from the earnings of their business means a lot. Not only because of the holiday season but also for savings and household needs.
According to MARE CARES President Myrna Espiritu, the decision to delay their profit was a collective and deliberate one.
Espiritu disclosed that the members wanted their shares to be substantial enough to make a difference in their lives, rather than being immediately spent on daily necessities.
Marina Llanto, a member of the association, has expressed joy of being able to receive her share. She said she will save a portion of it for future expenses and will allot a portion for their Christmas and New Year celebration.
Other members has said that they will use the money to improve their house such as comfort room repairs, purchase of basic household appliances.
Long-Term Enterprise Development
The association has demonstrated a strong understanding of long-term enterprise development, Provincial SAAD Coordinator Jocelyn Cabañas said.
Long-term development enterprise refers to a business or initiative specifically focused on long-term over short-term, immediate profits.
She said that they don’t usually encourage groups to wait for too long before sharing their income.
But the group, she added, chose to further increase the number of chickens in their business. Hence, leading to double or triple of their production.
More Than a Celebration
The event, to which the MARE Cares members received their share, is more than a Christmas celebration.
To the association members, it was a result of their collective patience – having chosen to reinvest, wait, and rebuild a livelihood that is meant to last.
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