The Makilala Women’s Federation, Inc. (MWFI) recently celebrated a joyous occasion –- the arrival of eight (8) newly purchased sewing machines. It was a momentous event for the 100-strong group, who only four years ago were unemployed and on the brink of giving up all hope.
How it started
The MWFI was an existing organization in North Cotabato when Dole partner NGO Kasilak Development Foundation Inc. (KDFI) started its community activities in the area in 2004. The MWFI was in need of livelihood projects and other business opportunities since all 20 members were jobless. Everyone at MWFI was a skilled worker –-all were experienced tailors. And this was what caught the attention and interest of KDFI.
At the time, Dole Philippines – Stanfilco Division was sourcing out their Personnel Protective Suit requirements to private suppliers. Thinking it would be a good opportunity for the women and for Dole to be able to assist its communities in income-generating programs, KDFI, through its then Community Development Officer and now Executive Director Joemil Montebon, suggested and recommended MWFI’s accreditation to Stanfilco so they could bid for the Company’s Personal Protective Suits requirements. After considering all aspects, including the group’s ability to ensure a timely delivery, the Company accepted and confirmed a business arrangement with MWFI.
MWFI started the livelihood project in the last quarter of 2004 with a budget of only 2,350 Philippine pesos (US$ 56). This amount was extremely small, but it was all the group could come up with since all were jobless at that time.
The women knew the amount wasn’t enough so they sought the assistance of the Municipal Mayor. The Mayor, seeing the potential of the project and its long-term benefit, loaned the women 35,000 Philippine pesos (US$ 833) and MWFI set off to start their livelihood project that was called the “PPS Livelihood Project”.
The Personnel Protective Suit (PPS)
The PPS is a disposable, protective, over-all covering used by Stanfilco’s banana farm-workers in the fields. The PPS acts as an additional safety precaution for workers especially for those tasked to handle the application of fertilizers and chemical treatment of banana plants for protection against plant diseases.
The PPS ensures workers safety and protection from any possible adverse effects that may occur if accidents or mishandling of the above-mentioned applications happen.
PPS is made of katsa cloth. Katsa, or unbleached muslin cloth, is comfortable for workers to use because it is a soft material that is "breathable" -- especially during humid days or the dry season. This cloth is popular and best suited for tropical weather and farm workers, specifically those assigned to fertilizer application, are required to use the Personal Protective Suits.
How it works
With each order, MWFI purchases the katsa cloth from Davao City and assembles the raw materials and sewing machines in their production area, which is usually a multi-purpose hall of a government building. Next, a pattern is made. After that, a group of workers sew the suit parts together. Once that is done, a quality control group inspects all finished products prior to delivery.
Accomplishments
Since its inception, the MWFI has made 17,000 suits for Stanfilco (an average of 1,500 suits are requested per purchase order).
Their success has inspired other community-based women organizations in other farms. For example, the Rural Improvement Club (RIC) of Maragusan, Compostela Valley province was encouraged by MWFI’s success. Officers of the RIC were so interested that they paid the women’s group a visit to benchmark and explore the possibility of replicating the business in their area. They were so inspired from the MWFI experience that they decided to bid for a similar business, this time in another Dole office, the Dole Valley Zone in Maragusan, Compostela Valley Province.
In 2005, assisted by Kasilak, officers from the RIC presented a sample of their suit to Dole Valley Zone Management. RIC so impressed Dole management that an agreement immediately followed for them to become Stanfilco’s supplier in the area.
MWFI today
Gloria Baradillo, President of MWFI, gratefully said, “Thanks to Dole-Stanfilco, we are able to eat three meals a day and we are able to send our sons and daughters to college.”
At this time, the livelihood activity benefits close to 100 women and their families living in the vicinity of the Company’s operations. It has also opened doors for the women of MWFI to accept other orders, such as those for office and school uniforms