LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The local government unit of La Trinidad and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provide livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The DTI provided Shared Service Facilities (SSF) for sewing for the federation of PWDs while the LGU provided a space for them to produce and sell their products through the La Trinidad Persons with Disabilities Sheltered Workshop located in barangay Wangal.
“Dito, apat kami na nagtatahi na pero federation ito kasi. ‘Yung may association kami ng per barangay ganun pero ito, federation,” said Agnes Martin from Barangay Bineng .
“Kami ang natapos na mag-training ng sewing, kami din ang nag-stay din dito, apat kami,” she added.
The group arranges shifts usually depending on the pre-ordered products in the market.
The fabrics they use are collected from ‘wagwagan’ or thrift shops in La Trinidad. They turn these into handmade products such as foot rugs, pot holders, aprons, and bags, among others.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa DTI kasi may ibinigay na sewing machine, ‘yun ang pinagkukunan din namin ng income namin,” Martin said.
Aside from their display in Wangal, the PWDs promote and sell their products in different trade fairs The LGU also provided a booth for the group to market their products in the recent celebration of the Strawberry Festival. (DEG/Esperanza De Guzman- PIA CAR- BSU Intern)
