Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya – A total of 44 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) composed of the Bugkalot, Tuwali, Kalanguya and Ibaloi of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Cagayan Valley received livelihood and entrepreneurial skills training through the collaborative effort of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 02 (DSWD FO2), Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 (DTI RO2), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dupax Del Norte at the town’s community centers on August 30 and September 15, 2021.

 

The two-batch training composed of a skills training on pineapple processing and entrepreneurial mindsetting attended by 27 IPs, the Tuwali, Kalanguya and Ibaloi, from barangay Bulala; and skills training on turmeric tea and ginger candy production attended by 17 participants, Bugkalot tribe, from barangay New Gumiad.

 

“We based the skills training on the raw materials that are abundant and regularly produced by the community,” explained Jestony Pineda, Municipal Link of Dupax Del Norte. “This way, we ensure the sustainability of the activity while also eyeing to establish an iconic product for the community in the near future,” he added.

“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan na nagtulong-tulong upang kami ay mabigyan ng training na ito. Mas napalawig din ang aming kaalaman ukol sa pagbuo ng asosasyon na siyang magiging daan upang kami ay magtagumpay sa aming mga planong maging pangkabuhayan,” said Lenie Pasigian, one of the participants for the ginger production seminar.

 

The training was funded from the Bottom up Budgeting (BuB) fund of the LGU while the field staff from DTI RO2 acted as resource persons for the trainings. DTI RO2 further committed to assist the group during their registration as a livelihood association and future market development.

###Written by Jeanet Antolin-Lozano