Two upland communities in Cebu City now have the opportunity to earn additional livelihood income and to grow as an organization following the turnover of projects granted to them by Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (Foundation).

The projects—Umahan sa Katawhan and Bee Farm garden—were formally opened to the public in separate turnovers in Barangays Guba and Pung-ol Sibugay ast Dec. 6, 2011. 


The Bee Farm, operated under the chairmanship of Wedeliza Gabisay of Pung-ol Sibugay Multi-purpose Cooperative, was opened to complement the cutflower production in the area.  Among the activities being done at the bee farm are honey, pollen and colony production, and queen rearing.  These initiatives are undertaken to also help develop the area as a tourist destination in the city. 


The Umahan sa Katawhan, meanwhile, was granted to KABAMEKA for being one of the active organizations in Barangay Guba and for being the Foundation’s active partner in enterprise development since 1995. 


KABAMEKA’s area is approximately 1.5 hectares and is planted with vegetables and herbs. Part of the area is a livestock section for goats, native chickens and ducks. 


The Umahan sa Katawhan aims to help more community members have access to organic farming and provide them with additional source of income and easy access to nutritional foods available in the area. 
  

During the turnovers, Guba Barangay Captain Renerio Limotan and Pung-ol Sibugay Multi-purpose Cooperative chairperson Wedeliza Gabisay expressed their gratitude to Aboitiz Foundation for choosing them as project beneficiaries. 


The events were graced by officers and members of the respective organizations, and officials of the barangay and Aboitiz Foundation managers Danny Cerence and Rowena Astillo. 


Both projects/sites are now open for visitation. These are implemented under the Aboitiz Business Assistance and Guidance (ABAG) program or the enterprise development component of the Aboitiz Foundation, which focuses on the development and enhancement of each partner organization by providing different grants and trainings.