With the current health crisis experienced nationally, it has affected the economic status of our MSMEs. Some establishment have closed while other reduced their work force for them to survive. Government have aided our entrepreneurs and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are among its core implementing agency.

Various assistance has been implemented to support our MSMEs and this group has been one of the beneficiary.

Last September of 2016, a group of 25 women weavers from the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4P’s) from different Barangays in Luisiana formed an association known as “Lala Ladies”, their business activity is mainly manufacturing of pandan woven products. Their aim is to have a sustainable income growth and be pro-active socially through responsible preservation of their town’s weaving culture and natural resources.

Funded by the National Government, in Barangay San Jose, Lala Ladies Association begun producing “Bayong” and other products made out of dried pandan leaves, which is one of the towns primary industry. And on November 2017, the organization formally registered their enterprise to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as a manufacturer/producer of pandan-woven products, it was also during this stage that they were having difficulty in establishing their business in the market mainly because high market competition and limited technical knowledge in marketing.

With the Department’s advocacy program, the group was invited on a coaching session on Financial Literacy last March 2018, it was followed by Seminar on Information Access and Capability Development on May and Small Medium Enterprise Roving Academy Seminar (SMERA) on Basic Pricing and Costing on June of the same year, which was conducted at DTI Negosyo Center Luisiana.

They were also the beneficiary of the Department’s 2020 PagBangon at Ginhawa (PBG) program as their livelihood was affected by typhoon Ulysses, further assistance on business resiliency was provided through mentoring.

With their hard work and determination, the association improved their crafts and ventures to other designs and products, they make different souvenir items and with the aid of DTI Counselors, they establish an online marketing scheme through Facebook in which the members are monitoring frequently.

The Association was also invited as an exhibitor during the Trade Fair at Pagsanjan organized by Department of Trade and Industry Laguna, which boost their sales especially during these holiday season, the association was very thankful for the department’s support especially the DTI Laguna Provincial Office.

“Sama-sama po naming haharipan ang pagsubok na ‘to na may lakas ng loob, tiwala sa Dios at pag pupursigi, sa bawat produkto na aming nagagawa, ito ay simblo ng aming tagumpay sa crisis na dinaranas nating lahat ngayon.” Lucena Roasa quoted, Association President. ♦

Date of Release: 13 January 2022