UNDP grant raises income of small eatery business in Biliran town

CABUCGAYAN, Biliran, Oct. 20 (PNA) -- The United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) financial grant to the Magbangon Rural Improvement Club (MRIC) has raised the recipients' monthly income in the past eight months.

The organization reported that their average gross income from food business has now reached PHP150,000 every month or 15 percent increase before the UNDP released the grant early this year.

“We are also aiming to expand this cafeteria so that we can sustain the needs of the members,” said Jean Juntilla, MIRC treasurer.

Their business is dubbed as “Kan-anan sa barangay” or eatery in the village. Located near the town’s bay walk area, it intends to provide additional income to 26 MRIC members and their families.

“I can now provide and sustain the basic needs of my family since I’ve been a member of this organization,” said Jeralyn Maala, one of the members of the association founded nearly two years ago.

The association members, composed of former job order employees of the local government, gets PHP20 wage for the every hour they work in the cafeteria. The UNDP has set aside PHP98,000 for the acquisition of equipment and kitchen utensils and the raw food for the eatery business.

The local government unit of Cabucgayan has also allotted PHP45,000 for the construction of the makeshift canteen for the association.

As a counterpart of the project, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has also allocated PHP150,000 for the procurement of 10 native huts for dining. (PNA) JMC/SQM/Danica-Ann M. Ultado (OJT)

/EGR