Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bukidnon brings its services and programs to indigenous peoples (IPs) in Bukidnon in line with the regional launching of the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) in Sitio Kibulag, Barangay Lantud, Talakag, Bukidnon on June 30, 2020. PRLEC is one of the clusters formed through Executive Order 70 that aims to develop sustainable communities through harmonized and culturally responsive government development programs.
Prior to the actual launching, the DTI Bukidnon team, together with representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA), as the chair of PRLEC, visited the remote village to assess the livelihood needs of the Maranao-Higaonon tribe in the area. The profiling and one-on-one interviews revealed that the target beneficiaries lack equipment such as knapsack sprayer for their small farming livelihood and have limited access to adequate farm inputs.
DTI Bukidnon responded to the needs by conducting an entrepreneurship seminar on June 19, 2020 at the Multipurpose Building in Sitio Kabulag. It also facilitated the distribution of 20 units of knapsack sprayers to the first batch of beneficiaries under the Livelihood Seeding Program – Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (LSP–PBG) during the official PRLEC launching.
In addition, handwoven mats and bags from the Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association and roasted pure arabica coffee from Mirayon, Lapok, Lirongan, Talaandig Tribal Association (MILALITTRA) were marketed in the area together with the affordable fresh produce of the farmers in the community.
DTI Bukidnon will continue providing services and programs to the area with an Entrepreneurial Mind-setting and Organic Farming Seminar scheduled within July and to be conducted by Negosyo Center Talakag in partnership with TESDA-Bukidnon for other remaining beneficiaries. Livelihood kits will also be distributed to participants after the series of seminars.♦
Date of Release: 6 July 2020