SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — A group of returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Antique province has secured a PHP400,000 grant to launch an ambitious mushroom production project, aiming to meet rising local demand while providing a sustainable livelihood for its members, most of whom are women.
The Federation of OFW Family Circle Sibalom, Inc., led by president Janet Fadullan, plans to transform the funding into a thriving enterprise producing chicharon—a crispy mushroom snack—and other by-products. The initiative, Fadullan said, is a direct response to a glaring gap in the market.
“We are embarking on the mushroom industry because of the lack of supply in the local markets and the malls,” Fadullan told the Associated Press in an interview. “Our members will get a share of the income, giving them a stable source of earnings.”
The grant, awarded through the Legarda Micro Small and Medium Excellence Award, will bankroll essential equipment, including shredding, incubator, bagging, and inoculator machines. The federation received the check during a ceremony on Monday at the University of Antique’s main campus, where Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda handed over the funds alongside Noli Valezuela, team leader of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program in Antique.
The timing of the award aligns with the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration, a nationwide campaign to spotlight gender equality and empowerment. Legarda, a key supporter of the project, emphasized its broader significance.
“With the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration, we reaffirm our collective vision to empower women, promote gender equality, and ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities,” he said during the event.
For the federation’s 42 village associations, the mushroom project represents more than just a business—it’s a lifeline. Many members, having returned from years of working abroad, are now channeling their skills and resilience into a venture that could reshape their economic futures. The focus on women underscores a growing movement in the Philippines to bolster female-led enterprises, particularly in rural areas like Antique, where opportunities can be scarce.
Fadullan said the group is eager to get started, with plans to ramp up production quickly to supply local markets and potentially beyond. The PHP400,000 seed capital, she added, is a critical first step toward building a self-sustaining operation that could inspire similar efforts across the region.
As Antique’s mushroom industry takes root, the project stands as a testament to the power of community-driven innovation—and a reminder of the untapped potential among the country’s returning workers. For now, all eyes are on Sibalom, where a humble fungus could soon become a symbol of resilience and renewal.
