Success Story of Dayondon Dried Fish

“Working as a domestic helper, my job was to take care of children who were not mine. Yet, it
broke my heart to think about my children who were far away from me,” said former OFW Jhonalyn
Dayondon. This made her forego continuing to work abroad, and come back home to the Philippines.

In order to provide for the needs of her family, she decided to start her own business, Dayondon’s
Dried Fish. She sold different variants of dried fish in the public market of Alabel, Sarangani province.
She struggled on getting customers at first, which spurred her drive to learn the ropes of the business.

She attended various entrepreneurial trainings organized by the DTI thru the Negosyo Center, in
particular: Simple Bookkeeping, Disaster Preparedness for MSMEs and, Business Continuity Planning.
Through these trainings and interventions of the Negosyo Center, she learned how to record her daily
financial transactions, and how to prepare for disasters.

With the facilitation and assistance of the Negosyo Center-Alabel, Ms. Dayondon applied for the
Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Micro-financing Program. Her first loan application of Php
30,000.00 was approved and released.

She used this loan to purchase additional supplies for her business such as collapsible tent, display
rack, steel trays, and additional stocks. This resulted to her putting up another display booth.

After she fully paid her first loan, she applied for another P3 loan amounting to Php 40, 000.00,
which was similarly granted and released. She is planning to buy a motorcycle to be used for delivery of
products.

By improving her marketing strategy, establishing good client relations, and providing quality
products and service, her sales has increased which further sustained her business.

From a daily net income of Php 1, 300.00, her current daily net income increased to Php 2,
000.00 and go up to Php 5, 000. 00 during market day or weekends. This increase in sales helped
improve the living conditions of her family.

“My business engagement honed me holistically, I learned how to take risks, and how to manage
my income by keeping records. Because of my business, I was able to provide for the needs of my
family, and at the same time, I’m able to take good care of my four children who are still studying,”
Dayondon said in vernacular.

“I am thankful for the service and assistance extended by DTI and the Negosyo Center who were
instrumental in the growth of my business,” she added.