BENGUET -- From a simple idea shared among friends to a thriving community endeavor.

Through hard work, dedication, and collaboration, the United Mothers Livelihood Association of Ucab (UMLAU) has grown from an informal group to an accredited, and registered organization. It has blossomed into a testament of women empowerment, and resourcefulness.

It  all began in 2015 as a simple endeavor from the P20 share of each member. With the assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment through its  Integrated Livelihood Program, the association ventured in mushroom production, and mushroom-based food processing.

“This serves as our side hustle, helping the members of the organization to earn extra income,” said Daisy Charungen, president of UMLAU.

Aside from fresh mushroom products, the group is now producing mushroom by-products like mushroom chili paste, chips, and even bagoong.

Charungen shared that those who cannot work in the mushroom production area help in reselling their fresh mushroom products and by-products.

 “Of course not only do we earn a living, but we also ensure that our neighbors have access to delicious and nutritious mushrooms because we make sure that we provide fresh and of good quality product to our community.”

Today, UMLAU is one of the civil society organization champions of the RISE (Resilience, Innovation, Sustainability, and Empowerment) Benguet Project. Its members are a testament of resilience, becoming the economic provider when the husbands have no other livelihood due to the moratorium on small scale mining operations triggered by the massive landslide in Ucab in 2018.

UMLAU’s story showcases the transformative power of collaboration and commitment to shared success. Its journey highlights the potential within our communities, where simple beginnings can cultivate a brighter future. (JDPDEG-PIA CAR with Venus Mei Caguioa, BSU Intern)