The Army’s 89th Infantry “Makatao” Battalion formally opened the “Bread and Basket” Bakeshop in Barangay Magwawa, Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte which aims to give livelihood opportunities to the women-members of the Magwawa Skilled Workers Association (MSWA).
This project was inspired by the “Makatao Bakeshop” of the battalion that was established thru a value chain concept. The bakeshop started with the objective of giving an alternative source of income for its personnel. Selected personnel of the unit together with several CAFGUs were initially trained on bread and pastry making by the TESDA and Rizal Memorial Colleges (RMC).
They were then trained in bakeshop management through On the Job Training in the bakeshop owned by the benevolent couple Mr. and Mrs. Rino Tugay. Thereafter, the battalion bought second-hand bakeshop equipment worth 100,000 pesos to jumpstart the operation of “Makatao” Bakeshop at the 10ID headquarters in Mawab, Davao de Oro.
Because of the success of the Makatao Bakeshop, the unit aimed to replicate the same in far flung communities and formerly conflict-affected areas to provide livelihood and economic opportunities to the people particularly the women sector.
With the feasibility of the project based on the need assessment conducted, MSWA was organized and registered with the DOLE by the unit’s Community Development Team (CDT).
Its members were likewise trained by the TESDA on bread making last November 2019. The battalion then collaborated with Hon Ernesto Evangelista, Mayor of Santo Tomas and Congressman Allan Dujali of 2nd District, DDN for the sponsorship of baking equipment and start-up materials. Mr. Roland Dejisica of Ecner Banana Corporation also donated a motorcycle for the delivery of their products and expand their market at nearby areas and sitios.
Selected members of the association were trained on how to operationalize the bakeshop at the Makatao Bakeshop while procurement of equipment and construction was ongoing. Other members of MSWA were also trained on basic bookkeeping which was conducted by the DTI. The bakeshop was built through the “Bayanihan” efforts of Hon Arnulfo Generosa, Brgy Captain of Brgy Magwawa, members of the association, CAFGU and army personnel.
The realization of this project is also credited to the unified efforts and support of all government agencies, MLGUs, BLGU and Congressional office as well as the private business sector. This is a clear manifestation of the implementation of EO 70 popularly known as institutionalization whole of nation approach through convergence of efforts of all agencies and private sectors in ending local communist armed conflict and bringing in peace and development in communities that are prone to conflict like that of Barangay Magwawa.
LTC SILAS D TRASMONTERO INF (GSC) PA, Battalion Commander of the unit, personally extended his gratitude to LGU, BLGU, Congressional District 2 of DDN, business sector and other stakeholders who continuously and untiringly support the efforts of the unit to bring not only footprints of conflict resilient communities but of progress and development. The battalion continues to live up to its name “Makatao” in taking care of the communities wherever the unit is deployed and assigned.
Thursday’s inauguration ceremony was attended by Congressman Alan Dujali, TESDA Provincial Director Arlyn Bandong, Santo Tomas Mayor Ernesto Evangelista, Atty Elisa Evangelista-Lapiṅa, Municipal Administrator, 10thID Division Commander, MGEN REUBEN S BASIAO PA, 1003rd Brigade Commander, BGEN NOLASCO A MEMPIN PA, Santo Tomas PNP headed by Police Major Frederick Deles, Barangay Magwawa officials, and other community stakeholders.
(CMO 89th IB/ DPAO 10th ID/ OIC Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao)