CARE Philippines: Emergency Relief Philippines | NGO Philippines

Starting my business was difficult, but with persistence and the support of my neighbors, friends, and farmers, my agri-shop gradually grew. In the first four months, sales were small, but now they have reached over ₱100,000.00!”

Photo: Mayflor Buena tends to her agri-shop in Pangil, Laguna. Photo: Alren Beronio/CARE

Mayflor Buena was already a trusted leader in her community in Pangil, Laguna, long before she opened her agri-shop. As a Barangay Nutrition Scholar, she worked closely with health workers and local families, monitoring children’s nutrition, advising mothers, and supporting community nutrition programs. But while she helped others, her own life became increasingly difficult.

The pandemic brought heavy challenges. She fought for her life and the survival of her newborn during a complicated childbirth, spending nearly a month in the hospital. Shortly after she recovered, a powerful storm destroyed her family’s crops, their main source of food and income.

During this difficult time, Mayflor joined the Asenso sa Good Agriculture Package Social Enterprise (aGAP SE). She saw an opportunity to change her family’s future and signed up to be an aGAP “Roving Agent,” a role that combines community leadership with business.

She learned to run a sustainable agri-shop by building strong relationships with reliable suppliers and creating a local market for crops gathered from nearby farms. This business now supports her family’s income while ensuring her neighbors have easy access to quality supplies and fair prices. By consolidating and selling local produce, she has established a reliable trade hub that benefits the entire community.

By applying Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), she improved her crop yields and grew healthier, more consistent harvests. These vegetables now provide both a steady source of food for her family and an additional source of income.

Mayflor now bridges the gap between health and harvests. Because she has spent years caring for the well-being of local families, farmers trust her agricultural advice. She is a constant presence in the fields, leading training sessions and visiting farms to help neighbors troubleshoot their crops. Women, in particular, find a mentor in her, feeling comfortable asking her for guidance on everything from growing vegetables to starting a small business.

The impact of her leadership is spreading throughout the village. More families are adopting better farming techniques, leading to higher yields and a wider variety of food on their tables. Women who once felt confined to the home now see themselves as leaders and entrepreneurs, often looking to Mayflor for encouragement. For her family, life has stabilized. The income from her agri-shop means they can pay for education and save for future planting seasons with confidence.

Beyond the financial gains, Mayflor has rediscovered hope. By building a network of farmers, suppliers, and partners, she no longer feels like she is facing the future alone. She knows her community is now better prepared to weather whatever storms may come. Today, she balances her roles as a health advocate, a business owner, and a community mentor. Her journey is a testament to the fact that when you invest in one woman’s leadership, you strengthen an entire community.

“Do not rush success. Welcome opportunities, stay positive, and trust that with perseverance and faith, every challenge can be overcome.”

“I now have enough money to buy meat, fish, and vegetables to cook for myself, and I can finally send money back home to my family. It is a relief to know that through my work, I can save, provide for my needs, and build the future I’ve always wanted.”

For Maria Paula Jubilo, 20, this simple statement reflects something far bigger than a balanced meal or a small remittance. It marks a moment of stability she once thought she couldn’t reach—proof that her hard work is finally opening doors.

Growing Up in Batangas

She grew up in Alitagtag, Batangas. Her mother sells live chickens and snacks at the local market, while her father works in a pottery shop. Despite their hard work, supporting four children through school often stretched the family’s income.

So, after finishing senior high school, she followed her older brother to a manufacturing company outside their town. She worked as a production operator assembling printers and LCD projectors. When her short-term contract ended in 2024, finding another job became difficult. For 15 months, she worked in catering. She helped prepare venues, carrying tables and chairs, and making décor arrangements. The pay helped her get by, but it wasn’t enough to save.

Finding Strength to Start Again

Paula dreamed of returning to manufacturing, where wages were higher and benefits were more secure. But job-hunting required money for transportation, application fees, and employment documents—all of which cost more than she could afford.

A Door Opens Through EMPOWER

Through CARE’s EMPOWER the Youth project, Paula joined a two-day training course organized by CARE and supported by the Public Employment Services Office (PESO) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) who sent resource/technical persons.

She learned how to refine her résumé and highlight her working experience. She also built confidence to manage job interviews. With these, she joined a job fair supported by the EMPOWER project. She wasn’t hired on the spot, but the experience helped her build her confidence and better understand how to present her strengths to meet employer expectations.

In addition to training, CARE provided cash assistance to help bridge the gap for young job seekers. She used this support to rent a small room near the LIMA estate in Malvar, an economic hub with many hiring companies, and to cover transportation costs in job applications.

Building a New Future

Paula walks from her home to the jeepney stop as she begins her commute to work in Malvar, Batangas. © 2026 Mary Therese Norbe/CARE

In October 2024, Paula was finally hired by a company manufacturing automotive wiring harnesses. She was trained by a mentor who taught her how to work smartly and develop new skills. She eventually became a production operator in the cutting section. Many of her colleagues are women who she describes as focused, efficient, and meticulous and this inspires her to do her best in the production line.

“I was told that I learn fast and that I have a promising future in the company. This makes me really happy”, she shared.

Working far from home is lonely. She misses her family every day. But with a steady income, she is slowly building the life she envisioned. For the first time, she saves money, cooks her own meals, and supports her family back home.

A Young Woman Leading Her Own Journey

Paula picks out fresh vegetables from a shop near her home. By earning her own income, she is now able to cook healthy, nutritious meals for herself. © 2026 Mary Therese Norbe/CARE

Paula continues to help her parents and younger siblings who are still in school. She hopes to gain more skills and grow her career in the manufacturing industry.

Her story is a reminder that progress begins when women gain access to opportunities, support, and spaces where they can succeed.

At CARE, we believe that when women have the tools to lead, entire communities thrive. Paula’s journey shows how those tools can help a young woman rebuild her confidence, her career, and her future.

This Women’s Month, we honor Paula—and all women who keep rising, rebuilding, and leading with strength and hope.