Born from a shared desire to uplift their living conditions and contribute to their families and their community, the United Fisherfolks and Farmers Association (UFFA) in San Lorenzo, Guimaras have navigated a series of hardships in their livelihood. Composed of 21 female and 14 male (among them are eight senior citizens and two solo parents), the collective initially focused on fishing and traditional salt production.
Established in 2013, UFFA operated successfully for seven years. However, a series of typhoons and the global disease outbreak severely impacted their livelihood – unpredictable weather, market closures, and transportation challenges forced the group to temporarily pause operations. For UFFA members, these challenges were not just distant concerns but real hardships that tested the resilience of their livelihood.
Then came the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program in 2023, which assisted the group rebuild and gave them a Chicken Layer Egg Production Project that allowed them to venture into egg production. The project package consists of layer sets, feeds, drugs and biologics, and farm tools and materials. They also underwent a series of training on production, organizational development, and marketing technology aimed at enhancing their skills and capacities.
After two years of managing the project, this women-led group, guided by their determined leader, Cory Galleto, has steadily regained its footing. For the whole 2024, UFFA grossed an income of Php 430,646.30 (Table 1).
Table 1. UFFA’s Financial Report Summary 2024
| Month | Gross Income (Php) | Expenses (Php) | Net Income (Php) |
| January | 8,914.00 | 1,723.00 | 7,191.30 |
| February | 33,740.20 | 9,095.40 | 24,644.80 |
| March | 46,280.80 | 7,136.70 | 39,144.10 |
| April | 43,885.90 | 10,514.60 | 33,371.30 |
| May | 41,834.60 | 33,114.90 | 8,719.70 |
| June | 41,630.90 | 40,788.00 | 842.90 |
| July | 37,523.00 | 35,986.00 | 1,537.00 |
| August | 31,394.00 | 20,071.00 | 11,323.00 |
| September | 34,643.70 | 22,307.20 | 12,336.50 |
| October | 38,241.20 | 16,550.00 | 21,691.20 |
| November | 33,670.00 | 29,378.00 | 4,292.00 |
| December | 38,887.70 | 40,326.00 | 1,438.30 |
TOTAL | 430,646.30 | 266,990.80 | 163,655.50 |
Beyond providing an additional income stream, the initiative has empowered them to emerge stronger. However, marketing remains a challenge due to the lack of farm-to-market roads in their area, adding another layer of difficulty to their journey.
“Isa ka challenge sa amon association amo ang kabudlayan sang amon dalan magpagwa kay sa kahon lang kami nagalatay kag naga motor lang kami nga single, kapin pa kung magtig-ululan, kabudlay magdala sang itlog sa banwa,” explains Cory, who drives the motorcycle herself.
(One of the challenges faced by our association is our difficulty in the road network because we have to go through a rice field using a motorcycle, especially during the rainy season, it is very difficult to haul these eggs to the market.)
Amid this challenge, UFFA adapted with resilience. They pooled resources, leveraged their networks, and found creative ways to market their produce – utilizing social media and participating in agricultural trade fairs to reach more buyers.
Cory explained how she benefited from the project, “Dako guid ang nabulig ni SAAD sa akon personally tungod paagi sa commission sa pagbaligya sang itlog, maka-provide ini sang ginapangayo sang akon mga istudyante, makapabalon kag makabakal sang ila pagkaon.”
(Personally, SAAD has helped me in so many ways. Through the commission that we gain from selling eggs, it aids me in providing food and allowance for my students.)
Through Cory Galleto’s responsible stewardship, UFFA has accumulated savings, allowing them to reinvest in a new venture: camote production. The income from their initial livelihood project became the seed for this expansion, showcasing the members’ resourcefulness and ability to turn adversity into opportunity. Now, they are not only managing a layer poultry project but have also diversified their livelihood, significantly increasing their income.
UFFA’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, a determined group – especially one led by women – can cultivate a future of growth and sustainability, deeply rooted in the land they nurture.
