Local officials of Tarlac City participated in a Lakbay-Aral in Las Piñas City, home of the many livelihood programs of Senator Cynthia Villar, August 31.
The educational excursion was an invitation extended by Senator Villar during her official meeting with the Tarlac City Officials at the Senate last August 24, 2016.
The group was headed by Tarlac City Mayor Cristy Angeles and Vice Mayor Genaro “Aro” Mendoza. Together with them were Councilor Pepito “Abel” Basangan – Chairman of Committee on Agriculture and Livestock Development, Councilor Christopher “Topey” Delos Reyes – Chairman of Committee on Health and Sanitation, Councilor Cesar Go – Chairman of Committee on Tourism, Councilor Vladimir Rodriguez – Chairman of Committee on Livelihood, Cooperatives, and Entrepreneurship, Councilor Ana Aguas, Councilor Ricky Diolazo, and select department heads and representatives of the City Government.
The purpose of the tour was to show the different livelihood programs of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) in Las Piñas.
Below are the projects introduced during the Lakbay-Aral:
River Station and Livelihood Center Farm School – center of organic plantations and plant cultures
Las Piñas Arts and Crafts – exhibition of the following products:
Water Lily Products (Mats, Shoes, Slippers, Bags, Baskets, Trays, Vases, and Accessories)
Handloom Blanket Weaving (Las Piñas Handloom Weaving Center)
School Chairs (Product from recycled plastic wastes)
Coco Coir – natural fiber from coconut husks
Charcoal Briquette – compacted peat from coconut husks which is a by-product of coir production
Citronella Massage Oil – an effective insect repellent extracted from the leaves of certain Cymbopogon grass species
Eco – Center Solid Waste Management Project – recycled kitchen waste processed into organic fertilizer
Las Piñas Coconet Factory – livelihood project
Waste Plastic Recycling Factory – production of school chairs from plastic waste
Together with the City Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (CCEDO), Mayor Cristy has already started reintroducing the Water Lily Weaving Project in Tarlac City. Experienced trainers from Villar SIPAG will also be coming to the city on September 10 and 11 to facilitate the hands-on training to interested Tarlaquenos.
Mayor Cristy Angeles aims to replicate the processes undertaken by Villar SIPAG and establish as many livelihoods in Tarlac City in order to utilize the natural resources that are abundant in Tarlac and, at the same time, to create more income for many families in the city./Tarlac CIO