“Operationalizing the LGU-Junkshop Partnership in Support to the Cluster Materials Recovery and Composting Facilities Project of General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite, Philippines”

Implementer: Ms. Lizette Cardenas, Solid Waste Management Association of Philippines, Makati City, Philippines

GMA Woman Junkshop Operator: a Case Study
Gender Expert: Fe Salcedo  

The case of Belen Pugata, the current Treasurer of the Junkshop Operator’s Association in GMA, Cavite, Philippines is truly a representation of the women’s profile in junkshop business. She is an Accounting graduate that makes her having higher educational attainment than her husband. She has one child. She co-owns the junkshop business with her husband. Her husband takes charge of spotting sources of waste/recyclables as well as connecting potential buyers. But the final negotiations, paper works and communications are Belen’s responsibility. Although Belen co-manages and operates the junkshop she is also at the same time working at a private company as bookkeeper.

Her productive role, from bookkeeping employment continues at their own junkshop business. In the afternoon as well as on Saturday and Sunday, she organizes the records and the cash involved in the business. In the morning before going to her bookkeeping job, she turns over the money to her husband for the start of buying operations. Her husband undertakes the junkshop operations and processes.  Their junkshop operation is family-based. Their helpers are her husband’s niece and nephew. As with other women in GMA, Cavite, Philippines, she is into this business because she had learned from her brother, who is into junkshop business as well. They used to have the junkshop at their house side by side with her brother’s business.

The case of Belen Pugata, the current Treasurer of the Junkshop Operator’s Association in GMA, Cavite, Philippines is truly a representation of the women’s profile in junkshop business. She is an Accounting graduate that makes her having higher educational attainment than her husband. She has one child. She co-owns the junkshop business with her husband. Her husband takes charge of spotting sources of waste/recyclables as well as connecting potential buyers. But the final negotiations, paper works and communications are Belen’s responsibility. Although Belen co-manages and operates the junkshop she is also at the same time working at a private company as bookkeeper. Her productive role, from bookkeeping employment continues at their own junkshop business. In the afternoon as well as on Saturday and Sunday, she organizes the records and the cash involved in the business. In the morning before going to her bookkeeping job, she turns over the money to her husband for the start of buying operations. Her husband undertakes the junkshop operations and processes.  Their junkshop operation is family-based. Their helpers are her husband’s niece and nephew. As with other women in GMA, Cavite, Philippines, she is into this business because she had learned from her brother, who is into junkshop business as well. They used to have the junkshop at their house side by side with her brother’s business.

Indeed most women have their junkshop in their houses. This practice can be disadvantageous. According to Belen, problems may include noise pollution and disturbance at home as there are those that sell their recyclables during unholy hours.  Belen said, junkshop business can be stressful as there are stolen goods sold to the junkshop. This would lead to losses of the junkshop when the goods are retrieved by the owner. Based on Belen’s experience, a woman can be vulnerable to various forms of harassment. A recyclable seller can be aggressive in insisting of selling his/her ware in the most unlikely or unholy time. Or, bought and paid recyclables will be retrieved by other members of the family or even by the owner. Abusive words and threats are also expected from time to time. As she had experienced these, her response and advice to others is to widen perspective in as far as customer relation is concerned yet at the same time be firm in management decisions. Likewise, according to her be alert for all eventualities and for other members of the family to be alert as well.

When Belen was asked about services and opportunities that are accessible to her as woman in the junkshop business, she shared that she was lucky to have government connections particularly mentioning Department of Education (DepEd). The connection she had with DepEd enabled her to bid for the demolition of some DepEd old building. Aside from the demolition payment, scrapping and getting the recyclables are also made possible. Her experience demonstrated that junkshop operation will be a lot profitable when linked with other work. Belen said they were able to capture the demolition contract through her husband’s establishing of connection and relationship with key people. The final negotiation was left to Belen.

According to Belen she feels empowered as she is treated as co-equal in the business and has a major role in the sustainability and profitability of the business.  She exudes self confidence. Her confidence is from the knowledge that she can equally co-share in the efforts of making the business profitable. She is also confident because she has the capacity to make decisions in the business. Based on her knowledge and experience she is capable to say this to other women “developing and having confidence means having a personal vision and believing in ones self”.

Photo credit: Deo Gabinete