Full Article

Estela Lagunzad, a Rural Bank of Dulag loan client, was recognized as the “Masikap” National Awardee during the 2008 Citi MOTY Awards Ceremony in Manila. Coming from a humble beginning, Estela Lagunzad consistently felt the need for more income since her current earnings were not enough to raise her family the way she would have liked.  It is because of this desire to earn more that she decided to take out a loan.  After hearing about the opportunities that the Rural Bank of Dulag were offering to aspiring business owners, Estela Lagunzad realized that through the Microenterprise Program she will be given the opportunity to help her husband improve their way of life.  After being released a loan amounting to Php 15,000, Estela Lagunzad started her small carinderia or eatery business.

Now, Mrs. Lagunzad has an eatery business, a retail store and a nursing cap manufacturing business. With 20 workers, she is able to maintain all of her businesses while helping out the local workers secure permanent employments.  Estela Lagunzad profits Php 800,000 annually.

Apart from Estela Lagunzad, other winners of the 2008 Citi MOTY Awards were Cerilo Delfin of Isabela, Julito Malinao of Cebu and Elino Andres of Batangas.