Program to boost livelihood in Pawa community inked A SUSTAINABLE livelihood program that aims to transform a lowly barangay in the municipality of Nabas in Aklan into a model community for agro-ecotourism has been launched recently by energy firm Petrowind Energy Inc. (PWEI) in collaboration with the Aklan State University (ASU) and the local government of Nabas. The partnership on sustainable livelihood enhancement program, which is part of PWEI’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, was formalized through a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) among PWEI, ASU, and the Nabas local government on August 29, 2014. The MOA signing was attended by PWEI President Milagros V. Reyes, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon, Nabas Municipal Mayor James V. Solanoy, Pawa Brgy. Chairman Isagani P. Baliguat, officials from ASU, and members of Pawa Community Champions. PWEI spearheads the development of a 50-megawatt (MW) wind power farm project in Brgy. Pawa, located at 15-kilometers away from Nabas town proper, starting on the fourth quarter of 2014. The 25-year project, which has a PhP4-billion total investment, is seen to generate and harness renewable and clean energy for Aklan. Mayor James V. Solanoy said that the project is seen to further maximize the eco-tourism potential of the province, considering its close proximity to Boracay Island. To capacitate the residents for the upcoming developments in Brgy. Pawa, PWEI has tapped the expertise of ASU, through its Extension and Community Services (ECS) Unit led by its director, Prof. Alexander I. Ramos, to provide the technical assistance needed by the community in the areas of food production, livelihood enhancement, and sustainable agriculture. “The University will conduct trainings and values formation to assist Brgy. Pawa in agricultural production, and, later, on food processing,” said ASU President Danilo E. Abayon. To ensure the success of the program, monitoring and evaluation activities will also be implemented, according to Abayon. “We are very thankful to PWEI for this project as it will give us livelihood and jobs,” Pawa Barangay Captain Isagani P. Baliguat said. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for Brgy. Pawa. Among the major crops planted are rice and coconut. Mat-weaving of baliw, an abundant fibercop in Nabas, also gives additional income to women in the community. With the help of experts from ASU, Baliguat hopes that they will learn more about new farm technologies, particularly on livestock raising and crop processing, and eventually increase their income. PWEI President Milagros V. Reyes, who thanked ASU for the technical assistance that it provides in the company’s CSR program in Brgy. Pawa, has assured the community of its continuous support. “The results of the initial activities such as site assessment, soil profiling, community planning, and training on soilid waste management and vermiculture, have indeed been helpfull in providing insights and guidance in the planning for a sustainable livelihood enhancement program for the community of Brgy. Pawa,” she said. (Melpha M. Abello, ASU-ECS) Reference: Dir. Alexander I. Ramos Dr. Paterno I. Rebuelta Extension and Community Services Unit Aklan State University Banga, Aklan (036) 267-5984
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 12:31:52 +0000
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