A DREAM which was birthed out two years ago has finally come to a reality. City Mayor Jane Yap seen the seed sown bore fruit as the lady mayor graced the blessing of the new Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturing Center in Brgy. Dampas.
It was during the culmination program of the women’s month celebration in 2019 that former City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap announced that a livelihood program for women’s organization in Tagbilaran will be established. Thus, two years ago, former Mayor Baba Yap, together with now City Mayor Jane Yap met with USAID SURGE Project Coordinator Dr. Rosalinda Paredes and First Consolidated Bank executive Argeo Melissimo to discuss the possibility of setting up a livelihood initiative in Tagbilaran City.
The meeting was full of hope and possibilities. A month later, the Tagbilaran City Livelihood and Community Development Unit came into being with Adelfa Salutan at the helm.
Salutan shared that the City Government turned over tools and equipment including 25 units of single stitch hi-speed sewing machines, 5 units 5-threads high speed sewing machines, 5 units 4-threads sewing machine, 5 units 3-threads sewing machine, 10 units mannequins, 2 units button-sew machines, 1 unit button-holer machines, 10 units ironing boards, 5 units steam press, 10 units flat irons, 2 units heavy duty cutter machines, 2 units piping machines, 25 sets of sewing kits, cloths, and other training paraphernalias.
This was followed by a series of various skills trainings and TESDA certification, two batches of women beneficiaries were already trained in dressmaking and tailoring. Further, a partnership between the City Government and the University of Bohol Research Center (UBRC) was also drafted to conduct a study in the 15 barangays. They gathered necessary, essential and closely related information needed for the Tagbilaran City Livelihood Database.
CLCDU Salutan shared that aside from the skills trainings, the beneficiaries were also provided with social preparatory trainings on Values Formation, Responsible Parenting, Reproductive Health, Gender Sensitivity and Development, and Financial Literacy and Management. Dean and professors from partner institution, University of Bohol, conducted the series of trainings. The skills training on one hand, were handled by institutional partners, Bohol Island State University (BISU) and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).
The blessing of the New Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturing Center is indeed a dream slowly unfolding. The event also witnessed the Oath Taking of the Board of Directors and Officers of the Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturers Association, Distribution of TESDA NCII Certificates, Recognition of partners and stakeholders, and the soft opening of the Tagbilaran City Women’s Economic Business Enterprise. The game-plan is to organize the trained beneficiaries to manage the Tagbilaran City Garments Manufacturing Cooperative.
Salutan said once the trained beneficiaries are equipped and empowered, they will take the lead in managing the enterprise. Plans to expand the business into manufacturing bags and shoes are also a possibility. (Jeanette Busano)
