In the Philippines, employers have high standards in hiring personnel which is evident in high unemployment rate especially that many poor Filipino do not have a degree in tertiary education. Mr. Brendes Solamillo from Barangay Silawe, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte felt this frustration as he could hardly find a company that is willing to hire a high school graduate.

“Mabuhi lang man pud ka kung kogihan lang ka nga tawo (You will live if you are hardworking).” This is Mr. Solamillo’s mantra in life.

Living life in the province taught him to be responsible and ‘madiskarte’ especially if you lack resources in life. And so, he resorted to nature; cultivating soil and planting vegetables became his way to live by the day. But he knew that he needed to up his game a notch to reap the best possible outcome in vegetable gardening business.

To become more successful in this field, Brendes equipped himself with proper knowledge in soil cultivation, vegetable plating, and even the business side of management through seminars and trainings. He was also always on the lookout for opportunities that would help him shell out the least amount of money to save for his children.

In one of the sessions on Bio-Intensive Gardening during the Family Development Session (FDS) of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to which the Solamillo family is a beneficiary, Brendes was introduced to the services of the Department of Agriculture (DA). He learned that the DA provides free seedlings to 4Ps beneficiaries.

Little as it may seem, but this is already a big cost reduction to small-time farmers like himself. Until eventually his hard work paid off and he was able to expand his farm. With his ka-kogihan or hard work, his colleagues trust his judgment and leadership. He was elected as the President of the Silawe Farmers Association in Polanco.

This venture is now Solamillo family’s main source of income. In the first semester of 2023, the family was able to make an approximate income of PHP100,000.00

With this empowerment acquired through the FDS, partnership, case management of 4Ps social workers, and his determination and hard work, Brendes believe that they are now ready to stand on their own feet even without the assistance of the program so that other poor families may also be assisted by the DSWD. He believes that the 4Ps has empowered them well to be able to make it in life.