Sugpat Kasilasa: Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Counting (ABC) Finacial Literacy

Bismillah!! Assalamualaikum sister from World Pulse, I am Zhiraida A. Daud a researcher, educator, and community servant. I would like to share to the whole world my extension program entitled: "Sugpat Kasilasa (Bridging Love); Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Counting (ABC)". I believed that empowering grassroots entrepreneurs through capacity-building programs is a recognized strategy in community development. The rationale behind this extension initiative is rooted in the belief that financial education can lead to improved business practices, increased income, and greater self-reliance. Without proper knowledge of accounting, recordkeeping, and financial reporting, sari-sari store owners are vulnerable to losses, inefficient operations, and even business closure.

The program sought to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical community needs by directly applying the expertise of faculty members in a local, real-world context. By delivering accessible, culturally sensitive, and contextualized training, the project aimed to make financial concepts understandable and usable for non-specialists in a grassroots setting.

Microenterprises such as sari-sari stores play a vital role in rural and low-income communities. These stores are not only sources of income for many families but also provide essential goods and services to neighborhoods with limited access to formal retail outlets. Despite their importance, many sari-sari store owners operate informally, lacking access to basic financial management knowledge and tools, which often leads to poor business sustainability and growth.

The municipality of Jolo in Sulu, a part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), is home to many informal entrepreneurs. Barangay Bus-Bus, in particular, has a high concentration of small-scale livelihood activities, including sari-sari stores. However, these entrepreneurs often face challenges such as inadequate financial skills, poor recordkeeping practices, and limited understanding of business management.

In response to these needs, Sulu State College’s School of Business Administration launched a literacy capability-building initiative through its extension services. The program, titled “Sugpat Kasilasa: Accounting, Bookkeeping & Counting (ABC) for Entrepreneurship and Sari-Sari Store Livelihood in Barangay Bus-Bus,” aimed to empower local entrepreneurs with essential financial literacy skills to help sustain and grow their businesses.

The proliferation of micro and small enterprises in the Philippines, particularly sari-sari stores, has underscored the need for entrepreneurial literacy among grassroots communities. Sari-sari stores are pivotal in driving local economies, yet many lack fundamental knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping.

To address this, the School of Business Administration at Sulu State College initiated the "Sugpat Kasilasa: Accounting, Bookkeeping & Counting (ABC) for Entrepreneurship & Sari-Sari Store Livelihood" community extension program. Conducted in Barangay Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu, this initiative aimed to empower local entrepreneurs by equipping them with essential financial skills.

The project aligns with the institution's thrust in community extension, targeting competency-building among marginalized groups. It serves not only as a training program but also as a VOICE initiative evaluating the real-world impact of financial education.