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Written by Amylyn Rey-Castro
Photos, Taken by Jasper Daquigan

50 wounded soldiers in Marawi siege, together with their dependents (spouses and/or parents), successfully completed a three-day (April 17 – 19, 2018) joint livelihood training on food processing held at the Officers’ Club House, AFPHSC, V. Luna Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.

The said activity was made possible through the active participation of the Department of National Defense-Kapakanan at Gabay sa Dating Kaanyuan (DND-KAPAGDAKA), Kapisanan ng mga Bayaning Sundalong may Kapansanan sa Pilipinas, Inc. (KBKPI), Armed Forces of the Philippines Health Service Command (AFPHSC), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV CALABARZON Livestock Program.

Trainers include Cynthia T. Leycano, Senior Science Research Specialist of DA-Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (LARES), who talked about cassava recipes and taught participants how to prepare the same; and Amy M. Gonzales-Eguia, Career Development and Management Services Chief of Agricultural Training Institute-International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ATI-ITCPH), who taught them in making tocino, tapa, burger, and siomai.

Regional Livestock Coordinator and Integrated Laboratory Division Chief Vilma M. Dimaculangan of DA CALABARZON said that the activity aims to maximize the skills of the participants in the methods of food processing, possible job opportunities for them, and augment their income by putting up such livelihood project.

Some of the participants extended their gratitude as they shared impressions during the closing program. They signified their commitment to share these within their community.

Philippine Army 1st Lt. Jerome G. Jacuba, Project Officer of DND-KAPAGDAKA, likewise expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the DA CALABARZON and ITCPH for responding to their request to conduct the said livelihood training for his fellow soldiers and their dependents who are rural dwellers living on low income.

Their organization, KBKPI, received P30-thousand worth of start-up kit from DA CALABARZON, consisting of steamer, turbo broiler, portable gas stove, pan, freezer, and cooler; and P1.5-million multiplier farm being constructed in Nasugbu, Batangas with native pigs and goats and their housing, chickens, multi-purpose shredder machine, and five drying nets.

Each of the participants was given meat processing tools from DND-KAPAGDAKA, such as mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, spatula, hamburger patty cup, and potato masher.

AFPHSC Commander BGen. Edwin Leo T. Torrelavega and DA CALABARZON Operations Division Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Dennis R. Arpia also attended the activity.