Marginalized farmers receive Php500K aid for meat and bangus processing project

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. 6 through its Capiz Field Office released recently Php500,000 worth of raw materials and equipment for the Meat Processing and Boneless Bangus Project of Brgy. Pangabu-an Kabuhayan Food Processing Association.

The Association was formed by 33 members of the marginalized farmers in the mountainous area of Jamindan, Capiz.

Pangabu-an Punong Brgy. Niel Valad-on said that the livelihood assistance can help in the upliftment of the members’ economic condition especially during the off season of rice production.

“Daku gid ang mabulig sang proyekto para sa dugang nga palangabuhi-an sang mga mangunguma nga wala na sing iban nga palangabuhi-an. Pagkatapos sang training, maumpisa kami diri sa barangay antes magmarket sa banwa (The project will provide alternative source of income to workers who rely only on farming. After the training, we will start marketing in our barangay before going to the town proper).” Valad-on said.

He added that the association is determined to make DOLE’s support sustainable, “Tinguha-an namon nga mapabilin ang proyekto kay kanugon sang bulig sang DOLE; nakita namon nga ang mga gamit nga ginhatag DOLE maayo gid nga klase sang stainless (We will make this project sustainable; the equipment provided by DOLE is of good quality and of high standard. We will make the most out of it.)”

As the proponent’s counterpart of the project, Brgy. Pangabu-an provided a building that currently houses the meat grinding machine, freezers, gas stoves, kitchen utensils and other equipment for the project.

During the turn-over, DOLE-6 Assistant Regional Director Jesus Elpido B. Atal, Jr. encouraged the member-beneficiaries to work hard for the success of the project. “We expect that in due time the project is in full operation and if sustainable we will be providing more assistance for its enhancement.”

The member-beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the assistance as it brings hope for the improvement of their economic condition which was affected by pandemic.