As the smallest unit of our society, the family bears the community’s success towards nation-building. How awe-inspiring can one family survive the farce of life rearing children towards their dreams, managing its happiness and economy if one parent is running it? Single parenthood is no ordinary feat, whether by choice, fate, or chance. Hence, through its Community Development Department, Tagum Cooperative had set its heart on providing the InclusiVate Program to include, empower, and elevate these unsung heroes in our communities so that as the members of Tagum Cooperative prosper, no one is left behind.
On August 30-31, 2023, Tagum Cooperative conducted the two-day Livelihood Skills Training for Solo-Parents: Ginger-Chili Liniment and Balm Making at the La Fortuna Property, La Fortuna, Brgy. La Filipina, Tagum City.
The Board of Directors attended and actively participated in this event, particularly the Community Development Committee headed by Dir. Nenita R. Malbas, Dir. Janet T. Matoguinas, and Dir. Noel O. Quedilla, together with the sixteen identified solo parents.
The full-packed activity started with Skills Training in the morning and the ceremonial Ginger and Chili planting on the first day’s afternoon. The day ends with the sending-off of the participants to sell their newly made products as part of the entrepreneurship skill contest.
The second day was set to focus on the enhancement and empowerment of solo parents in their Entrepreneurship Skills as Mr. Michael Tom A. Tulin, the Business Development Officer of DTI Davao del Norte, shared his knowledge and expertise on the topics. Tagun Cooperative had explicitly requested for the said nature of business.
The Skills Training, GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) on Herbs and Spices, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), Packaging, Mandatory Labeling, and the La Fortuna Perspectives were conducted by Ms. Ma. Adiosa C. Embat, a wellness practitioner and entrepreneur who is also the current Community Development Manager of Tagum Cooperative. The group was organized, and officers were elected and called Tagum Cooperative Solo Parent Livelihood Processors.A ceremonial signing of the Deed of Donation for all participants and awarding of prizes to all winners followed suit. The winning group had a gross profit of ₱4,400.00 from a start-up capital of ₱2,500.00. Everyone went home full of happiness, wisdom, money from their shares, and Livelihood Starter Kits from Tagum Cooperative blazing the entrepreneurial spirit to start organic production of ginger-chili liniment and pain-relief balms for their families and to the community to which they belong, making solo parenthood a little less challenging. Ma. Adiosa C. Embat