City farmers get livelihood projects

Two upland communities in Cebu City now have the opportunity to earn additional income and to grow as an organization following the turnover of projects granted to them by Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The Umahan sa Katawhan in barangay Guba and the Bee Farm garden in barangay Pung-ol Sibugay formally opened to the public last Dec. 6.

The Bee Farm, operated by Pung-ol Sibugay Multi-purpose Cooperative, will complement the cutflower production in the area.

Among the activities at the bee farm are honey, pollen and colony production and queen rearing.

These initiatives aim to develop the area as a tourist destination.

The Umahan sa Katawhan, meanwhile, was granted to Kabameka organization of barangay Guba, the foundation’s active partner in enterprise development since 1995.

The Umahan sa Katawhan aims to help community members have access to organic farming and nutritious food and provide additional income.

Kabameka’s 1.5-hectare area is planted with vegetables and herbs.

Part of the area is a livestock section for goats, native chickens and ducks.

During the turnovers, Guba barangay captain Renerio Limotan and Pung-ol Sibugay Multi-purpose Cooperative chairperson Wedeliza Gabisay thanked the Aboitiz Foundation for choosing them as their beneficiaries.

The events were graced by officers and members of the respective organizations, barangay officials and Aboitiz Foundation managers Danny Cerence and Rowena Astillo.

Both projects are now open for visitation and are implemented under the enterprise development component of the Aboitiz Foundation.