MANABO, Abra(PIA) — A women’s organization in the far flung barangay of San Ramon East here is now known as a supplier of different fruit wines in sari-sari stores after being equipped and trained by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The ‘SIGLAT’ association with over 32 members harvest and process various fruits such as banana, bugnay, sugarcane and pineapple into delicious finished products such as mascuvado, sugarcane juice, and different fruit wines.
In an interview with Manabo LGU Rural Based Organization Coordinator Rona Brillantes, she said that the SIGLAT women are now benefitting from the different equipment provided by the DOST.
“Malaking tulong ang mga machineries galing ng DOST kagaya ng sugarcane presser, glass fermenter and product labeling. Ever since they are being assisted by DOST, they are actively producing various fruit wines,” Brillantes reported.
The association is one of the many beneficiaries of the Local Grant-in Aid (LGIA) Program of the DOST.
DOST Abra Provincial Director Ralf Sapi-il said the program aims to spur economic and livelihood development among local communities through technological capability solutions.
The SIGLAT association was provided with science and technology intervention for the improvement of the sugarcane processing center amounting to P1 million.
Moreover, Brillantes said that the LGU headed by Mayor Darrel Domasing has passed a resolution supporting the SIGLAT members by providing P20,000 as the LGU’s counterpart to the livelihood grant project of the DOST.
The products of the SIGLAT women are now set to take center stage as they are invited to participate in a Department of Trade and Industry-led trade fair here scheduled on February 9-12, 2023.
Brillantes added that the products of the association have reached as far as the National Capital Region.
Recently, the DTI also visited the association to come up with a product packaging assistance to further boost their sales and income. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
BANANA WINE: the SIGLAT Women’s Association of Manabo, Abra is now processing and producing Banana Wine, one of the many fruit wine they supply among local retail stores of the town. (CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
