BANGUED, Abra(PIA) -- The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Abra held a skills training on dishwashing liquid soap production for the indigenous peoples.

Around 18 participants from the different IP communities joined the training which was made possible in  partnership with the Bangued Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Abra.

NCIP Abra Legal Officer Atty. Cynthia Baculi-Budaden, she said that the training program is one of the lined-up activities for the Indigenous Peoples Month in Abra.

Budalen said that the training will also prepare the participants who are planning to establish a business venture in the future.

“Most especially sa mga malalayo na IP communities, makikinabang sila dito since sila na ang producers ng liquid soap sa kanilang area, additional livelihood and income na rin para sa kanila ito,” she said.

Erlinda Guinaban from the Binongan tribe in the  municipality of Licuan-Baay said that the training helped  her a lot as she is planning to establish a business in their area.

“Plano namin na ishare ang mga natutunan namin sa mga members ng women’s organization namin sa Licuan-Baay  kasi magandang negosyo ito. Mahal na rin ang sabon ngayon kaya malaki ang tulong ng training na ito sa amin,” she said.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Dick Timbreza thanked the NCIP and all the trainees for their participation in the activity,  which  is one of the coordination program of the MPS under the Police Community Relations Program

Aside from this training, the NCIP also scheduled various activity for the IP Month celebration in Abra. These include  the provincial IP Day on Oct. 17, IP Day in San Juan Municipality on Oct.  22,  and inter-agency visitation among IP communities  on Oct. 11 and Oct. 12.

This year’s IP Month celebration theme is “Pagpapayaman ng Pamanang Kultural at Katutubong Yaman Tungo sa mas Maliwanag na Kinabukasan para sa Bagong Pilipinas”. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)