RENGIE PATIGAYON

GRAND WINNER – MAUSWAGON CATEGORY

Co-operative: MSU-IIT National Multi-Purpose Cooperative
Micro-enterprise: Sand and Gravel

Building Blocks for Success

In 2013, when the MSU-IIT National Multi-Purpose Cooperative opened in General Santos City, Rengie Patigayon was among those who received their flyers inviting people to become co-op members. After knowing the benefits of a co-operative, she was enticed to join with a mission of expanding their sand-and-gravel business.

Rengie and her husband, Bernardo, started their modest business out of a Php 5,000 capital. When they became pioneering co-op members, they availed a business loan from MSU-IIT NMPC to purchase a “karag-karag” (vehicle). In one year, their business grew bigger and more efficient as they acquired more project contracts to provide affordable and quality hollow blocks, sand, and gravel.

The couple has always been hands-on in their business as they embodied the value of hard work and determination. Rengie and Bernardo used to work for a hardware store as a salesperson and a truck driver, respectively. Their experiences of working in the same place inspired them to take risks and start their entrepreneurial journey. They are grateful to MSU-IIT NMPC for offering them financial products and services that help boost their financial capability and business operations.

In the future, they hope to put up their own hardware store so they can provide complete construction supplies to their customers. Their savings at the MSU-IIT NMPC also helped send their children to school and for their family to be ready during emergencies. Amid the pandemic, they have withered the challenges and remained in business, inspiring their relatives and friends to become members of the co-op as well.