Some of the products created by some residents in the hinterland barangays of San Fernando after a series of workshops. /contributed photos
An environmental livelihood initiative of a hinterland parish and a mining company has now provided a steady livelihood for at least 38 residents since it started early this year.
The residents have been producing Mzuri beads from used magazines, candles from used cooking oil, specialty paper and paper charcoal from waste paper, vermi compost fertilizer from scrap food and dried plant materials with the aid of vermi worms.
The beneficiaries from the group San Agustin de Hippo Environmental Stewards will also soon produce ropes from used plastic, disclosed Mitzie Almira Carin, division manager for human resources and administration of Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC).
SEDC collaborated with St. Augustine de Hippo Parish in Barangay Magsico, San Fernando in realizing the environmental livelihood program that earned the support of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas (MGB-7).
They pursued the project to develop integral sustainable solutions through conservation trade-off approach that can benefit both the people and the environment.
“That was why we opted to provide Magsico parishioners the means to gain additional income, and linked them with the business sector for social and economic development support,” said Carin.
“We wanted to enhance their knowledge and entrepreneurial skills on different livelihood programs that promote and apply in essence (Republic Act) 9003, the Solid Waste Management Act (of 2000),” she added.
Carin noted how noteworthy it has been that technologies have been developed to manage different wastes and convert these into income generating products.”
The beneficiaries came from barangays Magsico, Basak, Bugho, Cabatbatan and Tabionan who are covered by St. Augustine de Hippo Parish under Fr. Murphy Sarsonas, also chair of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concerns (CACEC).
The initiative started last January 27 when the community relations team of SEDC, backed by the company’s safety, health and environment department, organized a Basura Workshop at Magsico National High School.
A training followed in the next two months by CACEC member Engr. Irene Doños and Fr. Sarsonas. It ended with 38 beneficiaries completing the training.
The group elected Evita Datanagan as president with Ester Villamera as vice president; Marie Carmel Genilla, secretary; Celestina Berdon, treasurer; Necifora Maneja, auditor; and Rulie Villamor and Graciano Manugas, sergeant-at-arms.
The group has since been meeting once a month to discuss the progress of production and sales, as well as continued marketing and networking, shared Berdon, also a barangay organizer who assists SEDC monitor and assess the community projects. /PR