Garry and Joy Bonifacio Success Story
Garry and Joy Bonifacio are residents of Barangay Manibong, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan. In search for valiving, the young couple, with their first baby, relocated to Manila where Garry worked in a convenience store. There the family experienced the hardship of living to what a single minimum wage earner can provide. A year after, they decided to return to their hometown where Garry found another job in a meat shop. Joy was allowed by her auntie to sell in her vacant store. There she started selling small number of chichiria until she was introduced to RSPI. Joy was able to loan P5,000 on July 5, 2013 with other co-members. She used the amount she borrowed to purchase additional items such as soft drinks, canned goods and the like. On her second loan cycle, she borrowed P8,000 and invested it again to the sari-sari store. This time, Joy started selling bottled gasoline. Seeing the potential of the business that Joy started, Garry resigned from his job and joined his wife instead. Together they worked for a living while taking care of their children.
The couple, like all others, was not spared from challenges. Joy left home for a personal reason, thus, Gary has to continue running the business. The group loan term was about to end during that time, so Gary has to apply for a loan from RSPI using his name in place of Joy to be able to continue growing their business. After some time, Joy got back home and again joined her husband in their business.
From the income they generated from the store and with the loan from RSPI, they were able to build an extension for storage of soft drinks. Also, they were able to purchase on installment which they are now using for ice business.
At present, Garry is on his third loan cycle amounting to P11,000. He and his wife continue to sell in their sari-sari store while doing other businesses such as selling bottled gasoline in a nearby space, delivering soft drinks and bread to neighboring stores. Aside from trading, the couple is engaged in farm activities as much as they can. They have invested in three cows for breeding. Also, they grow corn during favorable season for additional income.
According to Garry, he used to drink liquor with friends in his younger years and it did him no good. Now, he is committed to improving the life of his family. He dreams of seeing his children finish their education. Through hard work, proper management of finances and faith to the Lord who gives strength, Gary and Joy have significantly improved their source of income. The small amount of money borrowed was managed wisely until it has increased to produce more income. From that simple chichiria vending having a daily sale of P500, the Bonifacios now are having an average daily sales of P3,500 during regular days and P5,000 during Saturdays and Sundays. The family, who used to live in their Auntie’s house, now has a home they call their own. A simple house it may be now, but with their continuous perseverance and hard work, surely they will do more and have more in the coming years.
