Ordinance Formulation Workshop

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The Perks of Goat Raising

As a component of the DISOP BUTTERFLIES AND TREES Project, members of PBSP's community organizations in barangays Buhisan and Toong participated in a two-day seminar on goat production and management. 

During this seminar, PBSP taught the participants how to make silage (preserved goat food). A barrel will feed a goat (weighing 30 kg) for approximately 10 days.  The advantage of this technology? Farmers need not feed and look for food for their goats all the time. And, when food sources go scarce, this will serve as a reserve since it spoils after two years.

After this seminar, each people's organization will be provided with startup capital and at least 12 goats as their additional means of earning income.

Congratulations, scholars!

Twenty days ago, they were charcoal makers. Now (20 days later), they've become full-fledged carpenters and masons.

Last November 30, thirty-five men from the barangays of Buhisan, Toong, Sapangdaku and Pamutan finally received their certificates of training after completing the 20-day course on Basic Carpentry and Masonry under the Don Bosco Technology Center. This training course is a component of the diSop Butterflies & Trees Project.

Attending the graduation ceremony were DBTC-TVED Training Director Fr. Rex Carbilledo, SDB; DBTC-TVED Trainor Marcia Roma, Jr.; and PBSP Visayas Executive Committee Member Rogelio Lim.

Following their graduation, the scholars will undergo a TESDA Accreditation Assessment for their NC II certification.

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Meet our Scholars (Basic Carpentry and Masonry)

All of them, all 35 of them, were charcoal makers.

With ages ranging from 19 to 42, these men used to trail the densest forests of the Buhisan Watershed and Forest Reserve in search of fine wood, setting aside their own conscience to be able to put food in the table for their own families.

Now they are given better chances of generating more income by learning skills in basic carpentry and masonry for a 20-day course in Don Bosco Technology Center. This is a livelihood initiative under the diSop Butterflies and Trees Project, which will run for three years until 2013.

Through this effort, PBSP helps reduce the pressure on Cebu's treasured forests and uplift the lives of these upland communities.

See the full gallery on our Photo Blog.