I’ve seen interesting TV programs and read many articles that feature inspiring business
opportunities and business success stories of ordinary
Filipino. They have been
successful because of their hardwork, especially in livelihood projects that pave
the way for aspiring young entrepreneurs, OFW’s, youth, students , simple
people in a community to have a business of their own.
“Misis Hanep Buhay,” has successfully provided livelihood to
over 500 families in Las Piñas. Former Rep. Cynthia Villar who served as a
congresswoman for nine (9) years had a vision of sharing Las Piñas livelihood
projects‘ success and sustainability to other communities all over the country.
A total of 100 pilot centers has been established in various
provinces across the nation in a bid to duplicate the livelihood centers or
green social enterprises initiated in Las Piñas City by Mrs. Villar.
In joining the senatorial bandwagon in the May elections,
Villar says she would have a better chance of pushing through with her
livelihood projects. She believes that will be an opportunity to expand her
livelihood projects. She wants to make a lot of difference in the lives of the
Filipinos.
Villar who feels that having a job is a solution to most of
the problems. With her livelihood projects, Villar wants to provide jobs even
to those who failed to finish elementary schooling.
“Because the Philippines has 1,600 cities, we still have a
long way to go,” said Villar.
She noted that under the present condition, employers
require that even factory workers should be high school graduates. “So how
about those who are not even elementary graduates?” asked Villar who recently
established the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance
or SIPAG to serve as center of all her efforts and endeavors in reducing
poverty in the country.
Villar’s livelihood programs include waterlily products
making, establishment of composting facilities and coconet factory, and blanket
weaving. She has also started plastic pulverizing in Leyte.
Through the efforts of Villar, the following livelihood
projects training were conducted:
Waterlily product - making has been conducted in the cities
of Las Piñas, Makati, Quezon, Caloocan, Taguig and Pasig; Malabon; Taytay;
Rizal; Bulihan, Silang and Bacoor, Cavite; Talusig, Ifugao; Sta. Rosa, San
Pedro and San Pablo, Laguna; Libon, Albay; Malolos, Calumpit and Meycauayan,
Bulacan; Talavera, Gen. Natividad, Cabiao, Cuyapo, San Jose and Cabanatuan,
Nueva Ecija; Baras, Rizal; Basista
and Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; Zambales; Laoag, Ilocos Norte; Tuguegarao,
Cagayan; Isabela; Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Mindoro; Davao City; Agusan del Sur,
Cotabato City; North Cotabato; South Cotabato; Lanao del Sur and Lanao del
Norte; Sultan Kudarat; Butuan City; and Pendatum, Maguindanao.
Composting was done in Las Piñas City; Brgy. Loyola, Quezon
City; Antipolo City, Rizal; San
Manuel, Isabela; San Jose del Monte Province and Malolos, Bulacan; Balanga,
Bataan; Plantacion, Batangas; Tierra Nevada, Gen. Trias and Bacoor,
Cavite; Antique; Talisay City,
Cebu; Oton and Alimodian Iloilo; Gen. Santos City; Davao City and Antipas, North Cotabato.
Coconet weaving factory was established in Balanga, Bataan:
Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Dinagat Island; Iligan City.
Blanket weaving is now in Pampanga; Caranglan, Nueva Ecija;
Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; Libon, Albay and Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.
Here is one inspirationl quote by Anita Roddick :
"But if you can create an honorable livelihood, where you take your skills and use them and you earn a living from it, it gives you a sense of freedom and allows you to balance your life the way you want. "
For more details about the projects and programs of the
Villar Foundation, please visit www.villarfoundation.org or follow us at
www.twitter.com/VFoundationInc.
