Joselito

Since his teenage years, Joselito, now 45 years old, has been dedicated to fishing. He learned the trade from his father and has continued it to support his partner and her two grown-up children, who are not in school. Joselito’s partner runs a sundry store at home, providing daily sales that help cover their household expenses. Their family relies on both Joselito’s fishing and the income from the store to meet their needs.

Last year, Joselito sold his small boat and purchased a much larger pump boat, which was made possible by a previous loan he fully repaid on time. During a recent visit from the loan officer, Joselito was repairing his hook and line fishing gear, known locally as 'kitang', a traditional fishing technique. He employs various fishing methods depending on the season and typically catches 10 to 30kg of fish and seafood on good weather days. The prices he gets for his catch vary based on the type of fish, and he sells his catch to a fishmonger who meets him at the seashore.

Despite the fluctuating income, Joselito is grateful for his ability to meet household and other expenses, especially with his partner’s daughter requiring prenatal care. As a member of our local development partner Lamac, Joselito has previously utilized loans to support his fishing activities and personal needs.

Recently, Joselito decided to request a new loan to finance the construction of an additional box for his kitang fishing gear. He plans to purchase nylons, hooks, and build a wooden box, as well as acquire new fishing nets to replace the old and damaged ones. Part of the loan will also be used to stock his partner’s store, which was temporarily closed when the staff visited due to his partner being at the health center with her pregnant daughter. Joselito is committed to working diligently to continue providing for his dependents. The new loan will be repaid in 12 monthly installments.