The City of Sipalay through City Tourism Office and City Social Welfare and Development Office officially turned-over the Coco-based Ventures as Alternative Income to Displaced Employees (CoVAIDE) project to its thirty-two (32) beneficiaries yesterday, September 24.
CoVAIDE’s objective is to help the displaced and affected tourism workers during this pandemic to earn through sustainable livelihood. The selected eighteen (18) beneficiaries from Barangay 4 and fourteen (14) from Barangay Nauhang received series of trainings from VCO trainer Keth Pedrosa to help them produce coco-based hand sanitizers and soaps available in lemon, orange, ilang-ilang and rose scents.
City Tourism Officer Jerick H. Lacson said in his message that the City Government of Sipalay was the first customer of the project. The City bought several products from CoVAIDE to be given as souvenirs to its guests. The souvenir bag dubbed as “Sipalay in a Bag” are products made in the city. The bag itself is made of “katsa” produced in Barangay 5, inside is a “nito” basket made by the inmates of Sipalay BJMP containing the coco-based products.
Representing our City Mayor Maria Gina M. Lizares is the Executive Assistant on Tourism and Education Praem Mediodia wherein he gave a short background on how the project was conceptualized and revealed that some studies suggest that Virgin Voconut Oil (VCO) has noticeable effect against COVID-19. He then thanked all those who gave their effort in making the project successful especially the City Tourism Office and City Social Development Office.
Barangay 4 and NauhangTeam Leaders Frecel Vecinal Barcoma and Louie Logronio Perlas expressed their gratitude towards everyone and to the City Government for their support.
The CoVAIDE project was also made possible with the support from Congressman Genaro P. Alvarez, former Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang, City Councilor Ellaine Pearl Garinganao-Palma, City Councilor Janewell Gift Selga, Punong Barangay Gilda Garinga and Punong Barangay Diego Hulguin among others.
