VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The Maris Ti Ayat (Color of Love), Inc., a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) federation based in this city was granted a livelihood fund from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) Sara Duterte in a ceremony held on June 16.

Through its “Magnegosyo ta ‘day!” program launched on Women’s Month in March, the OVP granted P150,000.00 livelihood fund to Maris Ti Ayat or Mar-Ti-A, along with two other LGBTQIA+ federations and one women’s federation in the country.

Mar-Ti-A President Jay Leonard Chavez said they shall be utilizing the fund by establishing a catering services business which will serve as a livelihood assistance for the LGBTQIA+ Bigueños or the city residents.

“This will further create employment and development to the creative skills of the member while its profit will serve as an additional fund of the organization to continue its advocacies such as HIV-AIDS awareness, youth empowerment and gender equality,” Chavez said.

Through the business, the federation, which has a total of 475 members, will be able to open a safe place for the members of the community to express themselves and build unifying relationships between and among their co-members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

“As the President, I am deeply honored and thankful to God, to the OVP, and to everyone, especially to Maris Ti Ayat members and those who helped us since day one and continue believing in our causes. This award is another milestone to our organization and a reflection of our hard work and genuine heart in helping the community. We’re very happy and overwhelmed because this is the LGBTQIA+ community and being chosen as one of its first batch recipients is such an honor and pride not just for us but for the entire Northern Luzon,” Chavez added.

Apart from empowering its members, the Mar-Ti-A has been active in helping its constituents by conducting free HIV-AIDS screening, haircut or "Alay-Gupit", and has established honesty canteens in three public elementary schools in this city.

“To our fellow youth and LGBTQIA+ organizations, other multi-sectoral groups, never get tired of doing your cause. To become a volunteer is so hard and challenging but being able to do your passion in serving others is something that is noble. God sees you. Do it with pure intentions and will. God will pay you back,” he ended. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)