DOST VI offers alter-livelihood for Boracay entreps

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Malay, Aklan — Being the excellent prime-mover of regional and countryside development with equity, the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI) provides alternative livelihood and source of income for the affected MSMEs as well as other programs aside from the livelihood aspect targeting several areas to the rehabilitation of Boracay as a sustainable tourism destination.

Specifically, it includes providing social safety nets through training, livelihood, and employment assistance; and ensuring health and sanitation.

DOST VI conducted training on Mushroom Production and Meat Processing in order to provide the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Boracay skills and knowledge for alternative sources of income and livelihood. The former was conducted last May 15-16, 2018 while the latter was conducted last April 27, 2018, both at Manoc-Manoc, Boracay, Malay, Aklan.

In the Training for mushroom production, Ms. Devorah Manzanares, owner of Manzanares Natural Farming System Enterprise and a mushroom grower since 2009 discussed the procedure on the production of oyster mushroom (pleurotus) where samples of pure mushroom culture, grain spawn, and fruiting bags were presented. A hands-on demonstration of fruiting bag production then followed.

Manzanares further shared several techniques and technical knowledge among the participants. In the said two-day training, the module on mushroom culture and production was given to the participants as the basis for the complete understanding of the step by step processes. The activity was attended by business owners and entrepreneurs who are interested to venture into mushroom production through the efforts of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boracay (PCCI-Boracay).

On the other hand, Marichu Calizo from Aklan State University (ASU) discussed the importance of food safety and their hygienic practices in food preparation in the training on Meat Processing. Calizo further discussed the proper measurement of ingredients, the importance of proper proportion and exact measurement of preservatives and proper choice of meat to be used for a specific recipe. A hands-on demonstration of pork tocino, chicken tocino, beef tapa and burger patty then followed.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the six-month closure of Boracay Island to make way for its rehabilitation, thereby officially closing the destination to foreign and local visitors for six (6) months effective April 26, 2018. There are 18,788 displaced formal workers, profiling data from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) shows while there are 4, 733 from the informal workers like massage therapists, and vendors.

The government has earmarked six months for Boracay’s closure identifying several benchmarks to decide if it could open it much earlier such as an improved quality of the water on the beach, significant progress on the road-widening projects and an improved handling of its solid waste. (DOST6/KMU)

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