GERONA, Tarlac -- Juggling work, motherhood, being a daughter and a sister is never an easy feat. Yet it is a tireless job that Annaliza Asuncion-Piñol endures and enjoys at the same time every day.
Annaliza, 51 years of age, is her family’s breadwinner and owner of one of Gerona’s affordable go-to-places, Barangay Foodtrip. Barangay Foodtrip located at Barangay Sembrano, Gerona was initially a three-wheeler Nego-kart (short for “Negosyo Kart”) given by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) through its Dole Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). Eventually, with her perseverance and love for family, Annaliza’s food cart grew and extended now offering other food choices to her loyal customers.
The weight she carries
Analiza’s family set-up is much like the closely tied families that Filipinos are well known for. Not only that Analiza acts as the mother of eight of her nieces, she also takes charge of her aging mother’s medication, as well as the daily expenses of some of her cousins.
As a breadwinner of her considered extended family, Analiza has entered various jobs from being a farmer, a tricycle operator to a scavenger typically anything that is worth a dime. With all the hustle that she does, she only get an income of P200 daily of which she has to divide among all the mouths she has to feed.
The fruit of her labor
In September 2017, Analiza was tapped by the Public Employment Service Office of the municipality of Gerona as one of the beneficiaries of Dole’s livelihood program.
“Nangongolekta po ako ng basura noon kaso ipinagbawal na ito sa aming munisipyo. Dahil po rito, naging prayoridad po kami para sa kabuhayang binibigay ng Dole at Peso,” Annaliza narrated.
Annaliza received a nego-kart/food stall business that she can use to sell food items of her choice. Dubbed as Barangay Foodtrip, Analiza’s startup business offered street food like fishballs, kikiam, and squidball.
Barangay Foodtrip gave Analiza a shot to better her quality of life and that of her family. Knowing well how to manage her capital, Analiza saved some of her extra earnings to grow and develop her business. To date, the one-stand food cart is extended with few more tables and chairs to cater more customers. It also now offers a wider variety of food options including congee (lugaw), noodle soup (mami), and jjamppong (spicy Korean noodle soup) to their menu list.
From a P200 income, Analiza now profits P1,000 to P3,000 daily with Barangay Foodtrip. With the given livelihood aid, Analiza was able to continue sending her nieces to school, provide medical care for her mother, and assist her cousins financially.
On perseverance and women empowerment
Analiza is among the millions of women and mothers who work day and night to support their families. No holiday or rest day applies to them because in addition to their jobs, they perform their duties as moms 24/7.
This is why the Department of Labor and Employment continuously empower women and work on narrowing the gap in the presence of women in the labor force. Not only that the Department seeks to create policies for their protection and inclusion, but it also seeks to capacitate women and provide equal opportunities regardless of gender.
To continue showing support to Analiza, a budding entrepreneur and definitely a supermom, Tarlaqueños and tourists may drop by her food stall at the riverside of Barangay Sembrano, Gerona, Tarlac. (PR)