BATANGAS CITY — The city government is focusing its support to home-based livelihood programs, especially in the women’s sector, to increase economic productivity and curb unemployment among its constituents.
Mayor Beverly Dimacuha on Thursday said the Committee on Livelihood that she has created through Executive Order No. 6 paved the way for the city government’s engagement with the women leaders of the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) and the Rural Improvement Clubs (RICs) – Batangas City chapters for the home-based livelihood undertakings.
Dimacuha, who heads the committee, said the city government initiative aims to establish an integrated management of the livelihood programs of the various city government departments to expand livelihood opportunities, where beneficiaries do not have to leave their homes for gainful employment.
These livelihood programs include backyard gardening, livestock-raising, aquaculture, food processing, and handicrafts among other home-based industries.
The mayor also designated City Planning and Development Officer IV Gilda Godoy as vice chairperson to harmonize the livelihood development program.
In a meeting with the women’s sector leaders on June 18, Godoy presented the city government’s home-based livelihood program and corresponding support for the KALIPI and RIC members with home-based undertakings in various barangay (villages).
She also advised the women leaders that their micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) would be boosted through membership in the Batangas City Producers Cooperative, under which, they can avail of financial assistance.
Godoy said the cooperative used to comprise RIC members organized by the Office of the City Veterinary and Agricultural Services (OCVAS) in every barangay and has been re-branded to its present status as a producers’ coop. It is now managing the city government’s “Pasalubong Center” in Plaza Mabini.
“Isa sa mga problema ng nagnenegosyo ay ang marketing kung saan pwedeng makatulong ang committee. Pwedeng ibenta ang mga produkto ng mga negosyante sa Pasalubong Center kung ito ay papasa sa quality control ng OCVAS (One of the problems encountered by the MSMEs is marketing where the committee would be of help. The MSMEs could sell their products after going through the OCVAS quality control at the Pasalubong Center),” Godoy said.
She added that the home-based entrepreneurs, who are cooperative members, are also assisted in the packaging of their products – especially those that have export potential.
Meanwhile, the coop is expanding its membership to interested MSMEs so they would also benefit from the Committee on Livelihood assistance program. (Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)
