At least 100 individuals from Camalig town in Albay province can now start their own local business after they completed a two-day training program on banana, taro and camote chip processing.

According to Tim Florece, Camalig information office chief, the livelihood training program held Wednesday and Thursday through the municipal social welfare and development office (MSWDO) is part of the local government’s stepped up efforts to shape the earning capacity of the marginalized sectors by offering them more sustainable livelihood options.

“The training was participated by members of Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI), child development workers, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWD), and community-based rehabilitation workers (CBRW). It was initiated due to the growing demands in the market,” he said in a statement on Friday.

“These crop-based chips were envisioned by the local government as a profitable venture for both the local farmers and economically disadvantaged individuals in Camalig,” he said.

Camalig’s enhanced efforts to boost the earning capacity of members of marginalized sectors is headed by Mayor Carlos Irwin G. Baldo Jr. who, on Thursday, personally joined the training program by sharing entrepreneurial strategies and at the same time motivated participants to embark on business ventures as an option for long-term economic stability.

He said the endeavor is also part of the local government’s delivery of various product development programs aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs and community sectors with opportunities that could meet specific demands. (PNA)