LAGAWE, IFUGAO — Fish-based rolls and other tilapia by-product food item lovers gathered in a huge number at the Alfonso Lista booth during the agriculture trade fair in Lagawe.
This event highlighted the creativity and expertise of local entrepreneurs, showcasing their ability to make use of materials in their communities.
The serious threat of the high cost of living and high unemployment rate has sparked the renewed determination for a stronger response to mitigate its impact, prompting officers and members of the Nagtipunan Women’s Fisher folk Association (NAFWA) to embed sustainability practices in their operations.
Nagtipunan is a sitio of Barangay Sto. Domingo. Folks are poor despite the fact of the village’s proximity to the sprawling Magat Dam.
NAFWA is driven by ambition and innovations. Like all micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), its mission is encouraged and supported by good reasons.
“We really want to expand,” said a member. So the NAFWA is working hard to obtain the green light of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its application to engage in the processing mode on a large-scale proportion.
A major supporter of NAFWA, who currently is not keen on being identified, is providing guidance to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities that consequently improve the lives of members.
Under his stewardship, NAFWA – also faced by serious problems for quite some time, has gone a long way in a short time.
Working together for a worthwhile cause, NAFWA’s common goal-setting methods are notably strong. It helps them keep their priorities straight and it just looks so good!
Think of your favorite Filipino pasalubong. Pasalubong- a gift to be valued, and not a reason to be associated to the season and be endured. NAFWA offers embotido, tilapia and even bagoong. These are gifts of time. Tilapia, a fresh fish, is raised in clean ponds. Being thoughtful, calm and health conscious is most helpful. Surprise, surprise, surprise!
NAFWA, truth to tell, is proof that sound enterprise and community empowerment are still very much alive today.
Its participation brought to the fore by the hard work of members and underscored its determination of overcoming great difficulties out of the uncertain times. No matter what, the NAFWA is all set to help accelerate the economic and social development of all concerned local government units in the province. This refers to the Sto. Domingo Barangay Council led by Punong Barangay Jovito Valenzuela and also the Alfonso Lista municipal government headed by Mayor Edralin Alipio and the Ifugao provincial government steered by Governor Jerry Dalipog. Easily, this contributes further to the advancement of the national government’s socio-economic agenda. Notice how every unit is related to the other, thus explaining why this assertion is true and significant. There is no price that can be put on their importance. Thanks to Lorna Pascua and Merly Baquiran, NAFWA’s pillars.
They and others should be credited for pushing jobs creation and food security. The higher employment rate means more opportunities. Food security is simply ensuring access to safe and affordable food at all times. The midterm poll circus is over: there are problems, problems, problems. So, what do we do? One trusts a call and hears: wake up, wake up, wake up! **By Anthony A. Araos
