From an allowance of PhP500 monthly to managing countless records and documentation of minutes, Leonila Regio has been with the Farm Operators of Marinduque Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FOMMCO) since it was still an organization 30 years ago.

As the lone employee back then, together with the manager, Leonila continued to perform as an all-around staff. 

Leonila was the perfect example of continuing to do good, and you’ll do well.

Fortunately, her dedication did not go unnoticed, as Leonila was eventually promoted as a Loan Officer, then as the Treasurer of the cooperative. The FOMMCO’s growth has led them to the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development (DA-PRDP), with the cooperative expanding from being a lending group to now, meat processors.

From the most menial jobs to now overseeing the cooperative, Leonila continues to look beyond the challenges, as more livelihood opportunities will open up for the people.

“Sa ngayon, unang-una, mahirap-hirap. Pero ngayon na magkakaron ng meat processing, magiging maayos at matutulungan namin yung iba pang mga miyembro at yung iba pang gustong maging miyembro. Kasi syempre magkakaron ng meat processing, marami kaming matutulungan na mga kababayan natin, mga kabarangay, lalo na yung mga walang hanapbuhay,” shared Leonila.

(Things are tough right now. But now that the meat processing [subproject] in underway, we’re expecting for things to get better and to be able to help our members and those who want to be members [of the cooperative]. This meat processing [subproject] will help our fellows, especially those with no sources of income.)

FOMMCO is the Proponent Group (PG) of the DA-PRDP’s Marinduque Swine Meat Processing subproject, approved by the Regional Project Advisory Board in December 2021, with a total project cost of PhP14.7 million. This subproject aims to provide additional income to farmer members of the cooperative, through the provision of a meat processing facility, a storage building, a hauling / delivery vehicle, meat processing machines, equipment, tools, and supplies.

Indeed, Leonila’s perseverance to perform was blessed with a wider opportunity together with the DA-PRDP. (Danica A. Brutas, DA-PRDP MIMAROPA RPCO InfoACE Unit)