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DA conducts training to IP women in Lakewood

PAGADIAN CITY, March 17 (PIA) -- Over 40 Subanen women in the municipality of Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur were successfully trained by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-9 Gender and Development (GAD) Program on Agri-base Micro Enterprise Simple Business Plan Preparation & Corn Husk Handicraft-making on March 14-15, 2023.

"Women in agriculture are at the forefront in shaping livelihood in the most accessible ways possible in rural areas. This training targets our vulnerable sectors which often times get less access to economic opportunities," said Jose Jacinto Antonio, DA9 GAD focal person.

Antonio said the exposure and introduction to Subanen women with handicrafts making from corn waste materials will help them earn income, as well as care for environment through recycling corn husks.

Anita Tumbao, chairperson of Thindegan Dlibon Subanen in Lakewood expressed gratitude to DA for the training opportunity: “This kind of opportunity makes us very happy. With DA, we are given attention and knowledge to be able to become self-reliant to learn the crafts in business enterprise, and incomes. Thank you so much.”

The GAD training coincides with the celebration of Women's Month.


According to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the municipality of Lakewood in Zamboanga del Sur has a total population of 21,559 to which 9,917 are Indigenous Peoples. (NBE/CCP/PIA9 with reports and photos from DA9)

About the Author

Clennkei Peñalosa

Information Officer

Region 9

Clennkei C. Peñalosa is a member of the Subanen Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) who earn a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) and is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor degree. A content creator and writer, she writes news and feature stories in Zamboanga Peninsula and manages PIA9's social media platforms.

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