E-KWENTO August 2018 Page 3

I don’t believe in the saying sipag at tiyaga — those are the intriguing, yet powerful words, uttered by Mr. Axel M. Salise, a Person

with Disability (PWD) turned entrepreneur, and now the Region 10’s winner for the Best DOLE-Assisted Livelihood Project under the

Individual Category for 2018.

He continued, “Marami nang hindi umasenso dahil puro lang sila doon sa ‘tiyaga’. Dapat, sipag at disiplina. Kasi pag sipag at disiplina, it

will bridge you to your goals and accomplishments. Doon papunta kapag may disiplina.” Based on what he said, it is no wonder that

Mr. Salise reached greater heights in sustaining his enterprise. With his ‘sipag at disiplina’, Mr. Salise not just uplifted his economic

condition, but also helped other vulnerable Filipinos establish their own livelihood.

He was only 12 years old when polio left his hands deformed and his right leg partially affected. However, being a PWD did not stop him

from aiming high. To support his studies and acquire additional income, he sold vegetables from farmers. He also managed to secure

jobs after. However, he knew that working as an employee can only help him yield limited results.

“With my experience, masasabi kong kung nagta-trabaho ka, syempre very limited ka rin. Kung ano yung sahod mo, ‘yun lang ang

makukuha mo. Pero kung sarili mong negosyo ang hawak mo, iyo yung oras at iyo yung kita mo. May goals kang hahabulin at mas mag-

susumikap ka kung gusto mong mas malaki ang maabot mo.”, Mr. Salise stated.

Determined to achieve more, he started a computer business with one unit of desktop

computer through a borrowed capital from a lending firm. He was taught on how to

operate the computer through his wife who is an internet café attendant in the locality.

However, their joint income was just enough to pay for their loaned capital and family

consumption. Until one day, through an old newspaper article, he got an idea about the

DOLE’s livelihood program.

Seeing the opportunity to grow his business without being burdened by loan interests,

he didn’t hesitate to visit the PESO Manager of the Municipality of Mambajao and

asked about the livelihood assistance. He then visited the DOLE Camiguin and from

then, the project had been established. “When DOLE came, I was able to start with a

capital of Php 10,000.00. Kumuha kami ng piso net, then kami na ‘yung nagre-repair

kapag may sira para mapagkasya namin yung kapital. Pinalago ko ‘yon. Ngayon, may

mga napagtapos na ako sa pag-aaral—tatlong pamangkin ko”, said Mr. Salise.

Currently, Ms. Salise’s computer business still operates, with additional desktop units

bought using the savings from his income through the years. He also expanded the

computer services to selling computer parts and accessories. Now, he also ventured to

shirt printing. With the diverse services and work quality, Mr. Salise continues to

sustain its market and has already created new markets outside the province. This resulted to an increase in their household income and

allowed him to provide beyond their basic needs. (Turn to Page 4)

Mr. Salise’s Computer Shop (Photo by DOLE RO 10)

Mr. Salise’s nephew who was provided with scholarship

and employment opportunity (Photo by DOLE RO 10)

E-KWENTO August 2018 Page 4

W ith all these, Mr. Salise has been very grateful to DOLE and even gives back by helping other PWDs and vulnerable

workers. “Unang-una, gusto kong magpasalamat sa DOLE, not only for myself, pero dahil nakikita kong on top of their

priority ang PWD sector. Noong first time kong nag-apply for livelihood assistance, ang DOLE mismo ang gumawa ng

proposal kasi hindi ako marunong. Hinanap nila ‘yung klase ng gusto kong proyekto at kasama akong nag-edit. Nung

nalaman ko kung paano ang paggawa ng proposal, tumutulong na rin ako. Kahit sa mga organisasyon na hindi PWDs ang members”,

Mr. Salise mentioned.

By providing training and employment opportunities, Mr. Salise has contributed

immensely in the empowerment of the PWDs in Camiguin. “Ginagawa namin ang training

nila sa shop ko. Pag nakikita kong ready na sila and equipped para mag-trabaho sa

labas, kinakausap ko ‘yung LGU namin at doon ko sila pinapasok”, said Mr. Salise.

When asked as to why he continues to help others, Mr. Salise answered, “Tumutulong

ako kasi galing ako sa hirap. Syempre may kapansanan ako. Naisip ko na mahirap ako

pero mas maswerte pa rin ako sa ibang may kapansanan. Kasi I have experienced

different jobs before at maganda naman yung mga dating positions ko. Tinanong ako

noon sa Region 10 kung ano pa ang mga plano ko for enhancement. So ang hiningi ko sa

kanila ay hindi para sa akin, kundi para sa organisasyon. A total of 24 PWD members ang beneficiaries doon. Ako ang gumawa ng

proposal noon at ako ang naglapit sa DOLE para sa kanila”.

He further mentioned, “Nakikita ko kasi na mabubuhay na ako

sa sarili kong kakayahan. Kaya ko. Pero sila, hindi. Ang gusto

ko, ‘yung mga PWDs sa amin, ma-employ. Pero hindi ako titigil

doon. Ngayon, may mga individual proposals na tayo para sa

kanila at ipapasa namin ito sa DOLE. Sana ay mapondohan din

sila dahil gusto kong maiangat din sila”.

However, going back to what he said earlier, he still wanted to

emphasize the significance of “sipag at disiplina” to everyone,

especially to the DOLE beneficiaries, “Ang dami kong nakitang

natulungan ng DOLE, lalo na doon sa amin. Ang nangyari ay

may mga umasenso, pero marami rin ang umabuso. Kasi

nawala ‘yung disiplina. Ang sipag, syempre sa umpisa,

talagang makikita natin ‘yun. Pero in the long run, ‘yung

disiplina nawawala na. Kasi ang pumapasok sa isipan nila,

‘Pera naman ‘to ng gobyerno. Ayos lang kahit anong gawin ko

dito’. Pero kung iisipin natin, nakakapangutang at nagbabayad

tayo sa mga bumbay. Iyon may interes pa. Itong sa DOLE, bigay. Tapos hindi pa natin pahahalagahan?”.

As we concluded his interview, Mr. Salise wanted everyone to ponder these words: “Ang problemang nakikita ko sa sambayanan, ang

daming walang trabaho, nagrereklamo, nagra-rally, at kung anu-anong problema ang ibinabato nila sa DOLE. Pero hindi naman sila

nagtatanong kung ano bang nandiyan sa DOLE. Ang daming programa. Naghihintay lang sa kanila.

Dapat talaga, pahalagahan natin ang programa ng gobyerno, kasi ang daming magagandang programa na hindi lang natin binibigyang

pansin. Naka-focus lang tayo lagi sa pagta-trabaho. Pero ang DOLE, mayroong programa kung saan ikaw naman ang tutulungang

makagawa ng trabaho, para sa sarili mo at para sa iba. Mga trabaho na naaayon sa gusto mo. Ngayon, kapag binigyan ka na nang

puhunan ng DOLE, matuto kang magpahalaga. Palaguin mo yan. Nakikita ko sa DOLE na kapag pinalago mo yan at pag umangat ka,

mas lalo ka pa nilang ia-angat. Kaya nga may enhancement program sila.

May kapansanan ako, pero pwede kong ipagmayabang na pwede akong

maging inspirasyon sa ibang tao. Kasi lumaban ako at binigyan ko ng

halaga ang programa ng gobyerno. Dapat maging challenge ito sa iba dahil

may kapansanan ako pero nalagpasan ko ang lahat ng ito”.

Mr. Salise’s story shows us that, not even disability can hinder a person who

has ‘sipag at disiplina’ in achieving his goals. Coupled with determination to

succeed and an unwavering spirit, anyone can transform a government

assistance into a sustainable project that provides for many. To Mr. Salise,

the DOLE is also grateful for your sincere appreciation of our livelihood

program and for going beyond your own interest to assist others towards

economic empowerment. For being a champion of the PWD sector and for

bridging more beneficiaries to the DOLE, maraming salamat po. Rest

assured that we will continue to serve the vulnerable Filipinos and stay true

to what you have regarded us – a department enhancing and enriching

lives. — END

Jhufel Rey U.

Aguirre, a

PWD assisted

by Mr.Salise

(Photo by

DOLE RO 10)

Mr. Axel M. Salise, sharing his ideas and virtues

in sustaining his livelihood project

“DOLE is not just a

Department of Labor

and Employment.

For me , it is

Department of

Living Enhancement

and Life Enrichment.

Pag sinabi nating

life enrichment,

ia-angat ang antas

ng buhay mo.”

EDITORIAL BOARD

Chairperson: Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla

Editor-in-Chief: Cielo C. Cabalatungan

Managing Editor:

Content :

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