There is life in LIFE
LIFE has provided poor farmers and the vulnerable with a reason to celebrate life!
Farming households in conflict-vulnerable areas face numerous challenges in improving their livelihoods, but LIFE offers a promising life. To reach its goal, the City Government of Koronadal, in collaboration with Land Care Philippines hosted a three-day “LIFE Forum and LIFE Book Launch” at Sitio El Nalam, Barangay Assumption, spearheaded by the Office of the City ENRO and the Office of the City Agriculturist.
The official release of the special LIFE package, which includes a reference book and training manual is part of the launch.
LIFE which stands for Livelihood Improvement through Facilitated Extension Program, is a joint project of Land Care Philippines, a non-governmental organization (USAID), and the City Government of Koronadal. The program aims to improve the lives of people living in the city’s rural and/or remote areas.
The project began in January 2015, with the formation of the OBLA (Oloc Lofe B’laan Landcare Association, Barangay Assumption) with 31 members; the NBAF (Nga Bango B’laan Aksasato Farmers Association, Barangay Saravia) with 25 members in 2017, the AFA (Assumption Farmers Association, Barangay Assumption) with 30 members; the Barangay Mabini, Siok Tree Farmers Cooperative with 30 members; the KASTABUNG LIFE Project in Sitio Dungan Lahek in 2019, and the KASBAKAS LIFE Project in Sitio Takilay in the following year (2020), both in Barangay Saravia.
Beneficiaries of the LIFE Program receive seeds for vegetable production as well as a number of native chickens. The officers and members of the aforementioned associations gathered at the said forum to discuss how far the LIFE Program has progressed, its gains, and the impact on the beneficiaries.
The City Government under the administration of Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena has allocated Php 150, 000.00 for livelihood projects, with Php 50,000.00 distributed evenly to OBLA and NBAF for goat dispersal and additional numbers of native chicken. The remaining Php 50,000.00 is given to the KASBAKAS LIFE Project for 19 sacks of rice and vegetable production seeds.
In his opening message, Barangay Captain Sagin said that the livelihood program reduces insurgents in his barangay and brings economic upliftment to his people.
On the other hand, Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena motivates the people of Barangay Assumption in his message by promising more livelihood programs and a bright future for the lumads. He even challenged some of the owners to donate lot for an accessible road to the remote areas, and a farm-to-market road will be made possible during his administration.
The government hopes that by implementing successful livelihood development programs, it will be able to improve and diversify the income of poor farmers, the vulnerable, and the indigenous community. An aspiration that will surely give them a reason to celebrate life!