VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Ilocos Sur conducted a skills training on root crop processing for some 16 members of the Cervantes, Ilocos Sur Women Development Center (CISWDC) on Monday, November 27.
According to the DTI, the CISWDC requested them to introduce a root crop processing activity as an alternative livelihood of the members as root crops are abundant in Cervantes town.
From this, the participants were able to produce crispy potato fries, sweet potato candies, camote chips, cassava croquettes, and cheese balls, which they could sell for additional income.
Participants pose for a photo opportunity after receiving their training certificates on November 27, 2023. (Photo by the DTI Ilocos Sur via Facebook)
The CISWDC is a co-operator of a Shared Service Facility in Meat Processing that produces pork-based products such as longganisa, embutido, tocino, and tapa in the area and has been distributing such products to as far as Mountain Province and Benguet.
However, due to the reported cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the second quarter of 2023, meat processing activities that use pork as raw material were suspended by the local government unit to control the spread of the disease in the area and its neighboring towns.
This affected the livelihood of the CISWDC members as some only depend on their income from the meat processing activity of the group.
“Our sincerest thanks to DTI-Ilocos Sur for granting our request. The establishment of another income-generating activity of CISWDC will surely help our members recover from the difficult situation that we are facing now,” said Genoveva Paet, president of CISWDC.
She added, “This will complement our income in meat processing which was gravely affected by the ASF. You’ve been a constant pillar of support in these trying times.” (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
