When it comes to battling COVID-19 and helping others survive the pandemic, Filipinos have tapped into their creativity for good measure.
In the case of the seamstresses of Ambulong, Batangas, it is about using their talents and resources to reinvent their livelihood while helping various frontliners.
Many women, including Linda Marasigan, have been stuck in their homes in adherence to the community quarantine in Batangas, but the lack of access to her previous work in a private sewing company did not stop her from doing her trade to help address the need for PPE.
As a member of Maghanapbuhay sa Bahay (Magbuhay), Linda gathered her resources and got in touch with the Garments Production Center of the SIBBAP Multipurpose Cooperative. Because of the cooperative's close work with Magbuhay since its inception in 2012, Linda quickly became a part of the group as a garment supervisor.
Magbuhay has come a long way since it began as an initiative of the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. (PSFI) almost a decade ago – first hatched as a program to teach technical sewing skills to the women of Batangas.
With this new partnership, Linda is able to provide for her family while also giving help to frontliners. Because medical-grade PPE are already skyrocketing in demand and prices, Magbuhay members like Linda created non-medical grade PPEs for frontliners like delivery people, volunteers, and others who are providing their own unique services to the public.
“We began SIBBAP with just seven machines and some raw materials, thinking we can help teach some of the women of the community some technical sewing skills,” said Olivia Sorio, PSFI program manager.
“Now, our 14 seamstresses have all been helping out the community to fight COVID-19. Linda is even elevating this program to provide protection for our many heroes on the field,” Sorio added.
Magbuhay is under Shell’s Proteksyon Para sa Bayani movement. It aims to help individuals in far-flung communities by giving them ample protection against the pandemic while addressing livelihood concerns.
“We all want to flatten the curve, but we don’t want the people to lose their livelihoods either. I think these small projects help our seamstresses to get back their daily wages while also giving our other frontliners a chance to continue with theirs,” said Sorio.
Proteksyon Para sa Bayani has been tapping various Shell communities that have been part of the Magbuhay project. To date, over 8,000 PPE have been delivered and produced.
“This is just one aspect of Shell’s multi-tiered program called Para sa Bayani,” said PSFI Executive Director Sebastian Quiniones. “Our main goal is to provide resources and help to our frontliners, because, at the end of the day, every help and every aid brings us close to replenishing the strength of our warriors and bringing us closer to winning the fight against the pandemic.”