STA. FE, Nueva Vizcaya (PIA) — Two women’s organization in this town received livelihood assistance from the Metrobank Foundation Inc. (MBFI).

MBFI awarded P1 million worth of assistance to the  Development for Indigenous Women’s Association (DIWA) and Cabuaan Ginger Association (CGA), both Indigenous People’s livelihood organizations based in barangays Imugan and Cabuaan respectively in this town.

The MBFI’s P1 million worth of  tools and equipments were given to the women’s organizations for the implementation of their livelihood project called  “Making Economic Thrust Resilient via Organization Building through Agri Enterprise Networking and Knowledge-sharing: a Healthy and Opportunity Program for Education ,”.

The METROBANK HOPE  Project  aims to address malnutrition issues in the province by empowering local organizations as partners of the national government and local government units on nutrition program implementation.

The tools will be used by the DIWA and ACGA in  making veggie noodles, bread, and vegetable/fruit chips, which will be marketed by barangay health workers and barangay nutrition scholars to school children.

“This will be a big boost in our multi-sectoral efforts  towards reducing the number of malnutrition cases in our province, especially among school children in our upland communities,” Governor Jose Gambito said.

He thanked the MBFI for their trust and commitment to support local organizations as partners for various development initiatives of the national government as well as the LGUs.

Gambito urged the two recipient organizations to do well in their livelihood projects so that more assistance will be given by the MBFI.

He said the additional  funds will also be sourced from the provincial government and the Department of Science and Technology to fully sustain the implementation of the METRO BANK HOPE  Project.

Leticia Puguon, DIWA president, said they are grateful for the donation given by the MBFI.

“Rest assured of our commitment and dedication to use these donations for the benefit of our malnourished children,” she said.

The turn-over program of the MBFI donations was attended by  Gerald De Veyra, Metro Bank  Bambang Branch Manager,  PLGU Officials led by Governor Jose Gambito and former Governor Ruth Padilla, PLGU Consultant, DIWA and ACGA officers and members and health workers from the municipal and barangay local government units. (BME/PIA NVizcaya)