CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) --  In support of the peace-building efforts of the government and the integration of rebel returnees into the mainstream of society, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 2 capacitated former rebels and small-scale sugarcane planters in sugarcane processing industry in this city.

Evelyn U. Yango, chief of DOLE-Isabela said the training is an offshoot of the P700,000 financial assistance given by DOLE to identified beneficiaries for a sugarcane processing project, in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the City Government of Ilagan this province.

She said there were 35 former rebels and sugarcane farmers, who are also members of the Sitio Lagis Farmers and Fisherfolk Association, equipped in processing sugarcane into vinegar, juice, wine, and sugar. 

"This association has demonstrated resilience and adaptability by engaging in diverse livelihood activities to sustain its members and contribute to the local economy and to the government's food security agenda," said Evelyn U. Yango, chief of DOLE-Isabela. 

Yango said the association received a sugar cane crusher, filtering equipment, packing materials, and stainless tables.  

She also said the project's goal is to improve the association's standard of living by providing them with the technical capabilities and needed resources.

"The success of the project, in the long run, would be determined by how well the association members are able to grow economically and achieve independence through their efforts to process sugar cane," she said.

Demonstration of vinegar, cane juice, and brown sugar processing. (Image by DOLE 2) 

The organization is engaged in various agricultural activities in an area classified as a New People's Army (NPA) infested zone and challenged by the increasing number of child laborers, particularly in the sugarcane plantations.   

To ensure entrepreneurial management, DOLE, in collaboration with the 502nd Infantry Battalion, and the City Government of Ilagan, also organized another two-day entrepreneurship development training on business planning, marketing, sales, budgeting, legal regulatory compliance, product quality and process improvement, and product safety standards. 

During the processing training, the participants were able to produce a total of 100 bottles of cane vinegar, two gallons of sugar cane juice, and five kilograms of brown sugar. 

Faustino N. Gamino, association president, an agriculture graduate, and a former rebel, expressed his gratitude to the government for the support given to them as he vowed to nurture and develop further the livelihood opportunity given to them. 

"This assistance opened a better door of opportunity to improve our living status. We can now earn to augment our families' needs. This is also a ray of hope for economic development in our community," he said. 

The association members are eyeing to improve production to satisfy not only domestic demands but also the global market in the future. (OTB/PIA Region 2)