SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David cited women for their contributions to the economy of this province.
ORTEGA (FB)
“Women are not only farmers themselves, but they are also leaders in farming communities whose roles are marked with compassion, empathy, and unconditional love,” David said.
Provincial Agriculturist Sharon Viloria said majority of 39 women’s associations in this province are in the agricultural sector.
“While some of these women are wives of farmers, the others are heads of households who juggle their roles for the family, and at the same for their community in their collective aspirations for growth,” said Viloria.
The Apayao Women Association headed by Nelly Ducusin based in Barangay Apayao in the upland town of San Gabriel is deeply rooted in farming and cultivates rice, highland vegetables, bananas, and tiger grass.
Founded in 2002, they now have 123 members and have been trailblazing community development. “We also produce turmeric tea and dishwashing liquid which we sell for additional income,” Ducusin added.
In the town of Caba, Evelyn Banan, president of the Sapsapang Women’s Association in Barangay San Jose, said they are a group of mothers who work hard and find creative ways to uplift the quality of lives in their families.
Established in 1993, they have been the beneficiaries of various livelihood grants and capacity-building initiatives from local and national governments and they are serious about making their businesses grow. And grow they did. “One of our projects is swine fattening and the pigs indeed grew big,” said Banan.
Their 75 members work together to ensure the sustainability of their group. Aside from selling pork from the hogs they raise, the group also provides loans, contributing to the growth of the micro-economy of the barangay.
Meanwhile, on the provincial level, women groups actively engage with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) for training and continuous capability enhancement support.
“They are also our regular traders in our monthly Kadiwa ng Pangulo program, which has been instrumental for these community-based groups to bring their produces to the broader market,” said Viloria.
“These groups are a testament that women have power, and they do not only continue to break glass ceilings, but also tenderly plant the seeds for a sustainable future,” said David. “They are key as we harvest our gains in making La Union the heart of agri-tourism in Northern Luzon,” she added.