The Department of Agrarian Reform-Asian Development Bank-Agrarian Reform Community Project (DAR-ADB-ARCP) in Aklan turned-over P50, 000.00 additional capital for the livelihood program of Sipac ARB Multipurpose Cooperative of Malinao, Aklan last September 19, 2006. Barangay chairpersons in the Fatima Agrarian Reform Communities (ARC) of Malinao, Aklan committed funds for the hastening of Gender and Development (GAD) efforts aimed at addressing gender gaps in their localities.
The move of the four village chiefs was triggered by realizing the importance of GAD advocacies through the conduct of gender sensitivity trainings in all sectors in the ARCs as a key strategy towards equating the role of women and men in development. It was also geared towards equity support to the GAD component program of the DAR-ADB-ARCP, one of the foreign aid institutions which facilitated the provision of infrastructure, agri-dev, economic enterprise and capability building to Aklan ARCs.
The Sipac ARBs MPC, the anchor people organization in the ARC, was the recipient of the P50,000 additional capital for the abaca slipper-making livelihood of the cooperative. Sipac and Coop chair Alfredo Villanueva encouraged his fellow barangay captains in the ARC to maximize the use of barangay GAD fund for the trainings while government agencies will provide the training facilities.. Abaca slipper maker and coop leader Billy Aclo said that the additional money would bolster the production of abaca slipper as market demands higher volume. He added that the additional capital will open new opportunities to their group to include added value requirements like dyeing, new designs, and packaging.
Malinao Mayor Dominador"Joji" Ilio, Jr. handed over the check. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts in addressing issues of women and men as well as open opportunities to both gender. He welcomed the move of the barangay chairs in allocating funds for GAD trainings. He also cautioned the coop to effectively and efficiently manage the finances so as to sustain the gains and benefits for their members.
The turn-over activity was witnessed by barangay chairs, some kagawads, officers of the cooperative, DAR staff and LGU headed by Mayor Ilio at the Municipal Social Hall, Poblacion, Malinao, Aklan. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
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