Global Peace Foundation Philippines officially turned over the Improved Livelihood Center for Organic Mushroom Production to Sitio Tamale of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija last December 14, 2021.
The turnover ceremony is the culmination of the project entitled “Improvement of Livelihood Centre in All Lights Village Tamale in Nueva Ecija, Philippines”. The project is sponsored by Maybank and Maybank Foundation in partnership with ASEAN Foundation towards Empowering Youth Across ASEAN. It aims to provide opportunity for the community to get work that is productive and delivers fair income for their families through the organic mushroom production.
Several guests attended and celebrated the event together with the community, namely: Executive Secretary Jojo de Leon, Municipal Councilor Christian Binuya, NCIP-Nueva Ecija Provincial Director Dr. Donato Bumacas, Provincial IPMR Board Member Emmanuel Domingo, IPMR of Bongabon Joel Bacdayan, MDRRMO Rep Jessie Ong, Chieftain of Isneg tribe Ancel Sagban, DepEd Public School District Supervisor of the District of Bongabon Alex Mantile and Principal of Macabaclay NHS Cecille Santiago.
The program started with the singing of the National Anthem followed by an invocation led by the one of Sitio Tamale Youth Representatives Ronalisa Santiago. Councilor of Brgy. Digmala Memory Pascual delivered the welcome remarks in behalf of Barangay Chair Gomer Ruz. A very energetic and fresh intermission dance number was given by selected Sitio Tamale Youth followed by the special messages from the guests.
Program Director for Youth Development of GPF Philippines Leonard Faustino together with the guests started the ceremonial turnover of the Organic Mushroom Livelihood Center. Chieftain of Sitio Tamale Joel Bacdayan, President of Tamale Indigenous Cultural Community and Organic Farmers Inc. Elizabeth Garbo, and one of the one of Sitio Tamale Youth Representatives Alfonso Garbo extended their acceptance and message of commitment to the project.
Due to intermittent internet connection, the ten (10) ASEAN volunteers were not able to watch the event in full but was able to join via Facebook messenger. Pokpak, Kenny Fernando, and Camille Lisay were able to join the call.
After which, GPF Philippines showed the recap video of the training programs conducted in October and November for Organic Mushroom Production and Business and Financial lectures for the selected thirty (30) youth from the community.
Also, NCIP-Nueva Ecija Provincial Director Dr. Donato Bumacas had this opportunity to award selected Indigenous Peoples elders for their support and leadership to the communities in which they belong to.
The program was ended by the closing message of GPF Philippines Executive Director Aldrin Nituma. He encouraged the youth and the community to unite for a common goal of uplifting their economic status through this livelihood center for organic mushroom production and that to take ownership of the dream.
The event was hosted by GPF youth volunteer and 2020 Safe Space Hero Kier Aventurado and GPF Philippines program staff Loren de Guzman.
Sitio Tamale community prepared lunch consisting of their tribe’s delicacies and viand for everyone who attended to share and bond over.
