Determined to empower women thru capability training and provision of livelihood assistance, the Department of Agriculture-Ilocos Region thru its Gender and Development (GAD) program turned-over various vegetable seeds and garden tools to the women-members of the Pagbennecan Agriculture and Fisheries Association (PAFA) in Balaoan, La Union today September 20,2021.

The women are also members of the Pagbennecan Rural Improvement Club consisting mostly of housewives who were all keen on establishing their own backyard vegetable garden not only as a source of accessible supply of fresh vegetables for their families but a livelihood opportunity as well.

Ms. Noryn O. Grego, the RIC president, expressed her gratitude to DA for the assistance given to their members as it would help them spend their free time being productive. “These vegetable seeds and garden tools would certainly make us busy producing healthy foods for our families and keep us away from gossiping.”, she funnily commented in an interview.

Prior to the distribution, staff from the Municipal Agriculture Office of Balaoan conducted a brief capacity training on vegetable farming to ensure that recipients will be able to establish properly their vegetable production project and make it into a sustainable business enterprise for additional income opportunity.

Ms. Lumen Bugaoan, Assistant GAD focal of DA-RFO I spearheaded the distribution activity with Mr. Joseph O. Tuvera, PAFA president, together with staffs from the Municipal Agricutlure Office and the Brgy. Chairman of Pagbennecan, Balaoan, La Union.

DA fully recognizes the important role of women in agricultural development, thus, through the Gender and Development, empowerment of women is consistently pursued.###