Clark Freeport—Indigenous People here will be developing a beauty and whitening soap made from available organic materials as an alternative means of livelihood aside from farming and livestock raising, according to Clark Development Corporation.
This, after the CDC and the Department of Trade and Industry offered to the Aetas community soap making training as alternative livelihood for IP’s settling in nearby upland of Clark sub-zone areas.
DTI regional office 3 headed by Director Judith Angeles recently brought essential tools, ingredients and materials worth P8,000 as initial grant for the soap-making project.
She said IPs participant would be called “soap smiths”.
Ten IPs will join in the livelihood training program. They will be issued identification cards for their easy access inside the freeport.
CDC will be providing an area for the soap production, transportation during the scheduled trainings including meals.
The presentation of the soap-making livelihood business package to the recipients was conducted through a simple ceremony at the Clark Skills and Training Center.
The event was attended by CDC Chairman Jose De Jesus, CDC President, and CEO Noel Manankil, CDC Director Nestor Villaroman Jr., CDC Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Rommel Narciso and DTI Provincial Director Elenita Ordonio.
Through the program, the 10 designated soap smiths will produce soaps in different shapes and scents from the natural ingredients that can be grown and found in their localities. They will also be organized into a formal group to ensure the continuity of the project. Jess Malabanan
The CDC, in collaboration with DTI, envisions that this project will foster a spirit of entrepreneurship for Small and Medium Enterprises.
This will also usher in more opportunities to meet the supply and demand needs of locators in this Freeport.
Last February, 50 Aeta trainees completed a soap-making training program which was initiated by CDC and supported by DTI, while personnel from Natural Verde – a maker of natural handmade soaps and shampoo bars – facilitated the training proper. Jess Malabanan