Villar leads livelihood caravan in Tondo

Keeping true to her mission to promote sustainable livelihood especially in communities that need it the most, Senator Cynthia A. Villar, together with representatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM), MMDA with MMDA Chairman Danny Lim and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), led another livelihood and clean-up caravan in Baseco, Tondo, yesterday.

Villar, chairman of the Senate Committees in Agriculture and Food and Environment and Natural Resources and Director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG) said that this is part of her commitment to provide livelihood opportunities to help improve the lives of Filipinos and empower them to become productive contributors to the country's economy.

"I have always believed that Filipinos are hardworking people. They only need the opportunity, the encouragement and support of our government and our people can make it happen. This is the essence of why we continuously search for ways to provide them with sustainable livelihood programs," Villar said.

With the help of BFAR, Baseco's bangus and tilapia farms were restocked by 5,000 bangus and 10,000 tilapia fingerlings.

Partnering with DENR and BSWM, on the other hand, Villar launched the Gulayan sa Gasangan (Edible Gardening)- the first with DENR and the 3rd time with BSWM.

"Edible gardening has proven to be a very simple but effective platform in solving two of our country's challenges- poor nutrition and lack of livelihood. The Baseco urban farmers can use their produce two ways- they can serve it to their family to ensure nutritious meals and they can also sell the excess harvest to provide them with additional income," Villar adds.

Completing the activity is the clean-up drive and mangrove planting.

Villar has been a staunch supporter of the government's goal towards poverty alleviation and through Villar SIPAG has been organizing livelihood and training seminars to create opportunities for the Filipino people.