As a fish vendor, Reden Guevarra from Bataan ensures that her products are of good quality to
Local members
of communities in Dinalupihan, Bataan mostly rely
on agricultural endeavors
as a source of living. Since
the area is home to many
rivers, fishing became a
livelihood for many.
Prior to venturing into selling fish in the
market in Bataan, 59-yearold Reden Guevarra tried
her luck in selling frozen
goods like tocinos and hotdogs. To provide more to
her four children, she also
offered manicure and pedicure services.
Her sibling taught
her how to sell fish. Initially, she only gathered fish
from market vendors that
were not sold during market hours. She became a
full-time seller with a daily
income of PHP200.00-
PHP300.00. After she
learned more about the
process of selling fish, her
husband considered buying a stall in 1998, which
they purchased for PHP
50,000.00.
It was the start of
a new journey for her. Reden’s day begin at three
o’clock in the morning as
she prepares to go to the
public market. Restaurants near her have become her loyal customers,
so she ensures that her
products are always of
good quality so she can
retain the good relationship with them. She also
offers to deliver fish to the
school where her children
used to study.
In December
2016, she met the Center
for Agriculture and Rural
Development (CARD) A
microfinance NGO. Seeing
flocks of women passing
her by, she felt intrigued
about what was going on.
She learned that CARD,
Inc. provides business
loans for entrepreneurs
like her. Because December is a peak season, she
accepted the offer of an
initial loan of PhP5,000.
Now, she can avail a much
higher loan that she continues to use in expanding
her business.
“I have a dream;
I want my life to be secure
when I grow old, and in
order for that to happen,
I need the assistance of
CARD, Inc., which provides various products
and services such as insurance, loans and savings on which people like
me can rely.” Guevarra explained as why she thinks
CARD, Inc. is a good institution.
Her sharp mind,
combined with diligence
and her habit of never giving up is what makes her
the strong woman she is
today. Many challenges
may come her way, but
she made sure that all that
comes her net is fish. PR
