Livelihood programs give hope in Marawi

Aboitiz turned over last Nov. 8 one of the three bakeries (complete with bakery equipment and supplies inside the Sagonsongan Transitory Shelter in Marawi City. In the photo are four of the beneficiaries together with Task Force Bangon Marawi Lead Convenor Penpen Libres, Task Force Bangon Marawi Chairperson Ed del Rosario, Aboitiz Equity Ventures COO Sabin Aboitiz, and Republic Cement President Nabil Francis.

Hope and opportunities emerged for the residents of war-torn Marawi City as livelihood programs for bakers-to-be and corn farmers were launched.

Dubbed as “Kawiyagan – Biyaya ng Pagbabago” program, Aboitiz Foundation initiated sustainable livelihood projects for the residents of Sagonsongan Resettlement Site that houses thousands of displaced families.

Three newly-constructed bakeries were inaugurated as part of the program and 12 bakery kits were distributed to qualified Kilusang Pagbabago affiliated local groups and organizations in Iligan and Marawi.

Jasmine Balt, one of the beneficiaries, was thankful for the opportunity after losing their sources of income during the five-month-long siege.

“Kung mabigyan po kami ng pagkakataon na magkaroon ng livelihood na bakery, napaka-laking tulong po sa amin, lalo na sa mga mothers na walang kabuhayan ngayon,” Balt said as quoted by Aboitiz Foundation in a statement.

Each bakery kit included a steel oven, bread racks, working table, dough roller, display shelf, delivery bicycle, and an initial supply of Pilmico Halal flour.

The bakeries in Marawi City, constructed in partnership with Aboitiz food unit Pilmico, offer an important livelihood opportunity for Marawi City’s citizens. Seen here are some of the bread offerings done at the bakery.

The donation also came with training in baking to help sustain the beneficiaries’ new enterprise.

Meanwhile, Aboitiz Foundation with non-stock, non-profit Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship’s GoNegosyo will mentor some 200 Maranao yellow corn farmers.

Marawi City’s internally-displaced persons, who are beneficiaries of Aboitiz’s bakery project, pose with Marawi City Mayor Majul and Aboitiz Equity Ventures COO Sabin Aboitiz.

A three-year micro-entrepreneurship partnership program for the displaced people in Balo-i resettlement area will be trained and financed until they pass the Pilmico corn quality standard.

The program was headed by Aboitiz Equity Ventures’ food subsidiary Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation, together with GoNegosyo and Task Force Bangon Marawi. /je