Delia

Delia, a seasoned entrepreneur at 57, lives peacefully in a town in Cebu province with her husband, Gerardo, and their two children who are still in college and high school. Two of their other children are already married and living separately. Delia and Gerardo work together to manage their family’s income, with Gerardo focusing on their hog business and assisting Delia at her market stall when he can.

For the past 32 years, Delia has run a stall in the town’s public market, where she sells a variety of products including vegetables, spices, groceries, fruits, and flowers. Her day starts early, as she opens her stall at 4:30 in the morning and closes at 7:30 in the evening. To maintain the smooth operation of her business, Delia relies on help from her family members instead of hiring outside workers. Her daughter assists her at the stall, and Gerardo helps out after tending to the pigs.

Delia's dedication to her business extends to ensuring all permits and licenses are up-to-date. Over the years, she saved enough to buy her own vehicle, which she uses to travel to Carbon Market in the city three times a week to purchase supplies in bulk. This allows her to save on travel expenses and take advantage of wholesale prices. Her daily sales range between 10,000 to 15,000 pesos (£133 to £200).

In 2021, Delia joined MFI Lamac, our local development partner in the Philippines, to avail herself of savings deposits and life insurance. She has successfully availed and repaid previous loans, demonstrating her reliability and commitment to her business. Now, Delia has sought another loan to restock her stall, particularly with high-demand items such as seasonings, fruits, and vegetables. This loan will help her purchase these stocks in volume, thereby saving on costs and enhancing the variety and appeal of her stall. The additional inventory will attract more customers, increase her profits, and contribute to the growth of her business.