Grains of grit: Rice vendor rises from five cavans to ‘Bidang Manininda’

OPINION | Letter to the Editor Posted on 2026-03-11 09:29:02

When Leonila H. Flores returned to her hometown in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro in 2005 after working in Italy as an overseas Filipino worker, she had one simple dream: to build a stable livelihood for her family.

She did not have formal business training and only had a small amount of capital, equal to about five sacks of rice. Despite this, she opened a small store called L.H. Flores Store.

Her first year was difficult. There were only a few customers, she was still learning about running a business, and every day brought uncertainty.

Nearly 20 years later, Flores received a major recognition. In 2023, she became the first “Bidang Manininda” awardee in Oriental Mindoro during the Consumer Welfare Month celebration organized by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Flores started her small business in the public market of Naujan. Through hard work and good service, she slowly gained loyal customers. At first, she supplied only a few retailers in Naujan. Later, her business expanded to nearby Calapan City as demand for her products increased.

As her business grew, she rented another stall to sell more products. But for Flores, success was not just about selling more goods.

She believed strongly in fair and honest business practices. She treated her customers with respect, followed consumer protection laws, and made sure that every transaction was clear and honest. Because of this, she gained the trust of many customers. For her, trust became more valuable than money.

However, the journey was not always easy. Like many small business owners, Flores faced problems with cash flow because many customers bought items on credit.

In 2017, a strong typhoon destroyed her market stall, forcing her to start again. Later, the COVID-19 pandemic created more challenges by disrupting supply deliveries and reducing market hours.

Flores said that the support she received from the Department of Trade and Industry in Oriental Mindoro and the Negosyo Center in Naujan helped her overcome these difficulties.

Through the Business Continuity and Resiliency Planning (BCRP) training, she learned how to prepare for disasters and business interruptions. She was also introduced to financial assistance programs from Small Business Corporation. With help from the Negosyo Center, she was able to get a loan that allowed her to restock products and repair her stall.

She also received support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Sustainable Livelihood Program, which further helped strengthen her business.

Because of these programs, Flores learned how to not only survive difficult times but also prepare for them.

Aside from running her business, Flores is also known in her community for her kindness. She helps during community events, donates goods during special occasions, and gives regular support to their local church.

Through her hard work, honesty, and generosity, Leonila H. Flores has become not only a successful entrepreneur but also a respected member of her community in Naujan.

NPO News Team | Philippine News Agency - PR

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