TO ADDRESS poverty and lack of livelihood, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted a two-day livelihood training to 51 Indigenous Peoples who are members of the Tambayan-Farmers Association in Sitio Pisapungan, Barangay Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac last September 16-17.

The Tambayan-Farmers Association is a people’s organization which was created through the help of the Philippine Army’s Community Support Program team.

It is composed of former members of the Milisyang Bayan and CTG supporters who were exploited by using the issue of ancestral domain, poverty, and lack of livelihood.

TESDA has given the IPs training in Produce and Plant Vigorous Seedlings, Management of Breeder Bucks and Does and Basic Entrepreneurship.

Aside from that, the agency also gave the participants food packs containing assorted groceries, bread and pastries, hygiene kits, bed sheets, personal hygiene kits and assorted clothes.

The IP participants thanked the agency and the military for their efforts.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat lalo na sa mga sundalo. Noon po ang Sitio Pisapungan ay may maraming mahabagin at malungkot na karanasan, pero dumating po ang takdang panahon na may mga taong tumulong dito sa aming lugar. Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa mga taong tumutulong sa amin na sila po ang nagbigay sa amin ng tuwid na daan hanggang sa kasalukuyan sa aming mga anak. Unti-unting nabibigyan ng kaliwanagan ang kaisipan ng bawat isa dito sa Sitio Pisapungan,” Alfredo Tiago, Sitio Pisapungan chieftain, said.

Lt. Col. Eugene Henry Cabusao, commanding officer of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, thanked the IPs for their appreciation in efforts to deliver government services to their community.

“Ang inyong kasundaluhan ay nagpapasalamat sa inyong ipinakitang kooperasyon at paraan ng pagpapasalamat, ito ay nagpapatunay lamang na sa pamamagitan ng kapayapaan ay mayroong kaunlaran,” Cabusao said.