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OFW Invests Income in Tailoring Shop; Gets Technology Support from DOST
By: Debbie Glynn V. Manangkil
Madeline Palustre, a domestic helper in different countries for the past 30 years had turned into an entrepreneur. While she was still in Abu Dhabi, she invested in a sewing business in Metro Manila that specializes in school uniforms and managed by her son – in – law. She saw this as a business opportunity in the Province of Apayao in as much as the sewing of school uniforms, sportswear, corporate uniforms and others are still outsourced from other provinces. Thus, she established the Maddie’s Fashion Design and Services in San Carlos, Sta. Marcela, Apayao. Mrs. Palustre learned about the DOST SETUP when she was invited by her “balae” to attend the Training on the Operation and Maintenance of the Biomass Furnace for Drying Grains in Flora, Apayao, a SETUP project. The PSTC-Apayao staff discussed the SETUP and as a result, she visited the PSTC-Apayao after the training to further inquire about the program. All the requirements for SETUP were submitted and the proposal was approved on May 24, 2019 in the amount of P1,025,500.00. Likewise, the Memorandum of Agreement was signed on June 7, 2019 The Dye Sublimation Wide Format Printer Machine with accessories and High Speed Sewing Machine for the project were delivered, inspected and tested on July 9, 2019. Further, the training on the operation and maintenance of the equipment was conducted by the supplier after the installation. Currently, the firm is commercially producing school uniforms, sublimated sportswear, corporate uniforms, jackets, jogging pants, casual wears, as well as the customized designs of customers, and other products.
April - June 2020
Because of the DOST SETUP intervention coupled with her passion in business, her production had boomed in a short period. Her continuous advertising strategies thru social media and wordof-mouth aside from visiting offices and LGUs to offer her products have enabled her production and sales to reach a 216% increase for five (5) months operation despite the CoVID–19 pandemic. As of now, employment generated also increased from seven direct employees to 12 and three (3) indirect employees. Products include sublimated sportswear, athletic uniforms and corporate uniforms. During this CoVID pandemic, she produces face masks, face shields, and jackets which can serve as personal protective equipment for the frontliners and the people in the locality. As her corporate social responsibility, she donated face masks to various LGUs in Apayao and linked her workers to the Social Amelioration Program from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). She also provides lunch and snacks to her workers and gives away cloth trimmings to those who want it and make it as stuffing for pillows. With the current success of her present business, she has now lost interest in going back abroad to work as an OFW. Ms. Palustre realized that opportunities abound in the country and the key is to take advantage of these and persevere in order to succeed. //
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