Family members of former NPA supporters undergo skills training

By Paula Antolin / Daily Tribune

The 71st Infantry Battalion recently facilitated Basic Skills Training on Commercial Baking for women in Sitio Tubalina, Barangay Alfonso, Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur in line with the the celebration of National Women’s Month.

The program is in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry of (DTI) Ilocos Sur through their “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa” project and during the activity, 20 female family members of former New People’s Army supporters together with female Kaibigan troopers underwent training on making pandesal, ensaymada, and muffins.

It also aimed to empower women to improve their knowledge and skills on commercial baking and how to create and manage a small business with their capacity.

Aside from the training, DTI-Ilocos Sur handed over a two-layer baking oven gas type and starter kits to the members of Tubalina Women’s Baked Goods and Pastries Association and turned over a meat processing machine to the members of the community.

“The Department of Trade and Industry is determined to support the communities who have the passion to become at least small-scale entrepreneurs. Since we are already exposed to the thrusts of the NTF ELCAC (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) in the province of Ilocos Sur, we highly prioritize conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable communities to come up with specific and feasible programs and initiatives,” said DTI-Region 1 assistant regional director Grace Lapastora.