PLDT-Smart Foundation, the social outreach arm of the PLDT Group, has turned over a training center for cacao farmers in Barangay Liboron, Calape, Bohol, signifying the Group’s full commitment to long-term post-disaster recovery through sustainable and inclusive livelihood opportunities for Boholanos.
“Supporting Filipino farmers is among the key pillars of PSF’s contribution to nation building. Also anchored on the MVP Group’s core value malasakit, we strive towards finding better ways to work, often with the help of technology-enabled and purpose-driven solutions, to help boost the Philippine agriculture industry and eventually uplift the lives of our farmers,” said Esther Santos, President of PSF.
Located in the center of a farmland owned by the women farmers of Liboron Organic Farmers and Cacao Growers Association in Carmen, Bohol, the training center was made possible through a collaboration among Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc. (AKFI), and Dalareich Chocolate House (Dalareich).
The hub will enable cacao farmers to access resources such as technical training and materials, empower them to adapt to the changing agricultural landscape, enhance their farming productivity, and eventually boost their incomes.
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado and Calape Mayor Julius Caesar Herrera joined PSF President Esther Santos and AKFI Executive Director Menchie Silvestre during the turnover.
“We believe that this can be a sustainable approach to creating livelihood opportunities for small holder farmers, cooperatives, and associations in Bohol, years following the onslaught of super typhoon Odette. We have also integrated technology into this project by gathering data and recording inventory of cacao trees and harvests through QR codes and connectivity,” said Dalareich Polot, co-founder of Dalareich Chocolate House.
Aside from livelihood opportunities, PSF, in partnership with Huawei Philippines, has also ensured that no learner will get left behind by providing access to quality education and digital technology through the Smart School-in-a-Bag (SIAB). Each SIAB carries a laptop, ten tablets, and a teacher’s guide, which are pre-loaded with interactive digital educational materials. PSF also handed copies of “Extraordinary Manny”, an addition to the school library.
Just recently, PSF turned over one SIAB to Oy National High School, located in a remote area in Loboc, Bohol, to help improve learning among its 200 students and to cater to other learners from neighboring barangays.
These initiatives underscore the common goal of PSF, PLDT and Smart, and the rest of the MVP Group to achieve a connected, empowered, and progressive Philippines. These are also aligned with the UNSDG #4: Quality Education and #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
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