Client Stories > Lina Turtoga

Micro-enterprise : Knitted Sweaters
TSPI Branch : TSPI Bugallon Branch


“Pag pangit ang produkto, sino ang bibili sa’yo? Pag maganda ang trabaho, hahanap-hanapin ka talaga ng mga tao!” (If your products are not good, who will buy from you? But if your products are good, people will keep coming back to you!). Such passion for quality coupled with hard work and determination, have enabled a once fledgling micro-enterprise to establish its operations as a recognized subcontractor of knitted sweaters in Aguilar, Pangasinan. Turtoga’s Garments now manufactures high quality sweaters for two major exporters of garments to Korea and Italy. The plain knitted sweaters are brought to Baguio City for finishing designs prior to shipping abroad.

Lina learned about the trade when she worked as a factory worker, along with her husband, in a sweater manufacturing company in Baguio City. When a devastating earthquake hit the city in 1991, the factory closed down and all the workers suddenly found themselves jobless. Over the years, they moved from one factory to another. Pressed by the need to attain higher earnings to support the growing needs of the family, they decided to go back to their hometown, Aguilar in Pangasinan, to start their own sweater manufacturing business in May 2001. Combining their skills in the trade, their work experience in quality control and 10 knitting machines, the couple went about producing high quality knitted garments which enabled them to land subcontracting jobs. Although sales seemed promising, operations were hardly sustainable with insufficient funds to cover overhead. There were many times then when they could not pay their workers on time.

After a few months of shaky operations, Lina learned about the TSPI Kabuhayan Program (TKP) from her neighbors. All of a sudden, her hopes on the business were revived. Together with the other women in her area, they formed Center 83 in October 2001. Her first loan of P5,000, while small, provided  a much needed cashflow to the enterprise.

Lina acknowledges that if not for the P 5,000, their business could not have survived and reached its level of operations today. After availing of 7 loans amounting to P 77,000 over 4 years, they were able to procure 36 additional weaving machines and contract more laborers which substantially increased her production capacity. To keep up with demand, they now employ 20 to a maximum of 45 workers, depending on the job orders. From producing just 13 dozens of plain sweaters a week, their weekly production now stands at 60 dozens of knitted garments, which they regularly supply to their contractors for export. Their good quality control and management played a vital role in the growth of the business.

With everything in place, the couple plans to set-up another factory in Cavite City to accommodate higher production volume. They also intend to buy additional equipment that would enable them to put finishing designs on the knitted sweaters so that they can also produce ready-to-wear knitted sweaters. Further, they plan to purchase a vehicle to facilitate efficient transport of finished goods. To meet the expansion targets, Lina recognizes the importance of meeting the needs of their workers. “Pag maayos ang pakikisama sa mga mananahi, maganda ang mga gawa ng produkto.  Kaya nasisiyahan din yung mga kliyente.” (Building and maintaining a good relationship with the workers results to quality products, which makes the buyers also satisfied.) Gone are the days of delayed payment to workers. These days, the couple find themselves supporting their workers in house repair or construction.

Lina attests that the earnings of the business significantly improved the economic condition of her family. “Napapansin ko na gumaan talaga ang buhay namin. Kahit magpaaral ng sabay-sabay, may pambayad pa rin kami.” (I can see that our lives really improved. Even if all our children are attending school, we can still afford to support their education.) Moreover, from merely renting, the couple now owns a house and lot, which they were able to purchase through the earnings of the business. Not only did the business help their family, but it also became a blessing to the people in the community. The business now employs 20 to 45 workers who formerly had no other source of living. From initially earning an average of P1,500 a week in the business, the workers now receive an average of P2,000 a week, which could go up to P5,000 a week when orders are at its peak.

Lina also finds joy in sharing her blessings to others whenever there is an opportunity. She willingly extends financial assistance to her center members who get sick. She also takes part in community development programs such as the school-building project in their area wherein she donated wood for construction. Lina attributes all the blessings she and her family are now enjoying and the success of their business to God. As she puts it, “Ang Diyos talaga ang nangunguna dito.” (It is God who really leads the business.)

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