Army, PAO train Aurora farmers’ group on livelihood

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 8, 2021): Army, PAO train Aurora farmers’ group on livelihood (By Jason De Asis)

MUSHROOM TRAINING. The Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB), in partnership with the Provincial Agriculture Office, conducts livelihood training to members of the Dianawan Upland Malaya Farmers Association (DUMFA) in Maria Aurora town, Aurora province on Thursday (Jan. 7, 2021). The training was in line with the implementation of the Community Support Program (CSP) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC). (Photo by Army's 91st IB)

BALER, Aurora – The Army’s 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB) has conducted livelihood training for members of the Dianawan Upland Malaya Farmers Association (DUMFA) in Maria Aurora town, this province.

In partnership with the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO), the 91IB equipped the DUMFA members with technical knowledge to develop their income-generating skills through a two-day mushroom production training that ended Thursday.

Lt. Col. Reandrew P. Rubio, commander of 91st IB, said on Friday the training was in line with the implementation of the Community Support Program (CSP) of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).

Emelita C. Lumaban, mushroom/vegetable coordinator, and Jocelyn S. Ceron, organic agriculture support staff of PAO, said mushroom growing can provide a sustainable income.

They encouraged the participants to open their minds to the new knowledge, their hearts for the willingness to learn, and their hands to accept new skills.

“The training was attended by 37 members of DUMFA led by its president Rubelyn R. Valiente. This training will help develop their skills as well as give them an alternative source of income,” Rubio said in an interview.

"Kami po sa Dianawan Upland Malaya Farmers Association ay nagpapasalamat sa Provincial Agriculture Office at 91st IB dahil nagkaroon kami ng training at kaalaman sa mushroom production kung saan ito po ay malaking tulong para po sa aming pangkabuhayan (We, at the Dianawan Upland Malaya Farmers Association, are thankful to the Provincial Agriculture Office and 91st IB because of the training and we gained knowledge on mushroom production which is a great help for our livelihood),” Valiente said.

Rubio also commended the efforts of the military troops in working with the local government agencies.

“The training is part of the whole-of-government approach under President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 by delivering basic services to the marginalized and depressed areas. Our small farmers will have a new livelihood that will allow them to earn forever,” Rubio said.

He added that the 91st IB will continue to involve the stakeholders to address the root causes of poverty in every remote barangay.

“The 91st IB will continue to deploy community support teams in the remote villages to conduct community support programs and will address the issues being exploited by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126785