A Stream of Hope: Myla Del Rosario’s Life-Giving Station

Posted on November 8, 2021

According to the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department, 99.5% of businesses in the Philippines are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), contributing 35.7% of the Philippines’ gross domestic product in 2018. Microentrepreneurs are pillars of the economy, but without proper support when a crisis happens, their businesses may just easily crumble down. As a result, they often depend on multiple sources of income to afford their day-to-day expenses. They work day-and-night and look for more ways to support their family.

Myla Del Rosario is one of the thousands of microentrepreneurs in Subic, Zambales who sought ways to break free from poverty and maximized her resources in the hopes of experiencing a better life.

In 2012, Myla heard the good news. When she heard that CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO) was searching for new clients, she headed to their unit office and grabbed the opportunity to register as a client. She was confident that CARD, Inc. will provide her financial support through loans and other community development services including health, livelihood, and educational programs.

Later, Myla became one of the eight members of Camachile 1 Center in Baraca-Camachile, Subic, Zambales and was finally entrusted PhP5,000 on her first loan. She did not waste this opportunity as she made sure that she used the money to support her business. She invested in making food for breakfast and merienda, as well as selling fishballs during the day and barbecues at night.

In 2014, Myla was transitioned from CARD, Inc. to CARD SME Bank, a thrift bank that supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by growing and sustaining businesses and empowering women and their families through its products and services. While CARD SME Bank became more dedicated to supporting her entrepreneurial journey, Myla admitted that it was not a walk in the park. There were times that she aced challenges in her business, but this did not become a stumbling block for her. With perseverance, Myla continued her responsibilities as a client of CARD SME Bank, which led her to become their center chief.

Regardless of her busy life, she still managed to be a reliable center chief. As a result of her dedication, she was granted to join lakbay-aral and trainings in Laguna and Baguio. Myla truly enjoyed the opportunities given to her, and she never failed to set an example and extend the same courtesy to her clients to build a strong foundation for their center.

Alas, the pandemic and the government-imposed lockdowns greatly affected Myla’s food business. She was forced to limit her livelihood activities at night, but it did not stop her from seeking more opportunities to make a living.

Because water is an everyday essential to people most especially during the pandemic, Myla ventured into selling 10 to 50 gallons of water refills to supply drinking water to their neighborhood. This became the start of her dreams to have her own water refilling station. With CARD SME Bank beside her, Myla knew the journey will not be as intimidating as it was for a budding entrepreneur like her. Even if her sources of income have been affected by the pandemic, the support that was given to her was enough to keep her going. The challenge is an exciting addition to Myla’s journey as she welcomes her 10^th year with CARD.