He wants to lessen their suffering with each saw cut he makes on the wood. He chisels away at his dream of giving his family a better life with each blow of his hammer.
Romar Carlos Natividad of Natappian West, Solana, Cagayan, has these goals. Depending on the tasks that were available, he worked as an extra hand in construction. He had to support his wife and three children, all of whom were in school, every day as the family’s only provider.
After a suggestion from a friend, Romar went to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in 2017 to apply for help through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. He wanted to open his own furniture and repair business because he realized how unsafe his construction career was. In the same year, DOLE gave him the support he needs with the help of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Solana Local Government Unit.
Romar was able to launch his business in the neighborhood after receiving ₱10,000 as an operating capital, which covered carpentry supplies. By providing repair services and making furniture for homes, Romar’s abilities quickly became well-known, giving his family new prospects. He purchased nine piglets and a passenger tricycle using the money he made from his business.
However, the start of the pandemic in 2020 caused life to take an unforeseen turn. His clientele was negatively impacted by restrictions, and orders decreased. His livelihood collapsed and his pigs fell ill, adding to his troubles. However, Romar persisted. To keep afloat, he started taking on tiny repair tasks and making smaller things, even using his bike for deliveries.
His persistence paid off in 2022. His standard of living significantly improved with ongoing assistance from PESO Solana and DOLE. He received ₱30,000 in additional capital from DOLE that year as part of the enhanced support for the livelihood program. As a result, he was able to make wood items and furniture more effectively and with greater quality.
His firm recovered thanks to Romar’s diligence and DOLE’s assistance. The family was successful in building, furnishing, and even buying a new motorcycle for their home. It used to be difficult for Romar to pay for his kids’ education, but now he can. His business is still doing well, drawing in new clients and enabling him to bring on more staff to keep up with the rising demand.
“Maraming salamat sa DOLE, malaking tulong po ang binigay niyo sa amin. Dahil sa kabuhayang hatid ninyo, hindi na ako masyadong mag-aalala sa kinabukasan ng aking mga anak. Sa kapwa ko skilled workers, patuloy ninyong linangin ang inyong kasanayan at huwag mawalan ng pag-asa. Laban lang!” Romar said.#
