Cabinet ladies open livelihood center

It did not rain on Friday, November 15. The sun shone brightly, and it seemed, even more brightly in Bulelak in Marikina. Bulelak used to be one of the depressed areas in Marikina. But not anymore. The streets are clean. There is order in the neighborhood. And that Friday, the cabinet spouses, headed by Rosie Lovely Romulo, came to Bulelak to inaugurate the Marikina Livelihood Training and Productivity Center, a joint project of the Cabinet Spouses Foundation, Bigay Puso Foundation, TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and the city government of Marikina.

Zeny Tañada, Marivic Concepcion, Judy Roxas, Mila Drilon, Mercy Tuason, Bambina Buenaventura, Sigrid Datumanong, Dullie Puno, Judy Araneta-Roxas and Berna Puyat were among the ladies who came. Luli Macapagal-Arroyo, the president’s daughter, came to cut the ribbon together with Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando, assisted by Lovely Romulo and Bigay Puso president Ofelia Carague. TESDA was represented by district director Luisita de la Cruz. Margie Juico, appointments secretary of former President Cory Aquino and Julie de Leon, wife of the former commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, the late Maj. Gen. Jose de Leon Jr., were among the dedicated Bigay Puso ladies who were there to show their support. With members of the City Women’s Council of Marikina who came to witness the happy occasion, the center was easily filled to overflowing.

An old bungalow in Bulelak was renovated to house the new training and livelihood center. One high-speed and five regular sewing machines were donated.

A wide working table suited for cutting and pattern making was also provided. Sewing tools and supplies such as scissors and threads were donated. In another section, there are three small tables, each with its own set of implements for manicure and pedicure services. And in one corner is a shampoo chair and washing bowl, exactly like the kind you’d find in a regular beauty parlor. A third section is set apart by curtains, enclosing a small space just big enough for two cots for massage and reflexology.

"Livelihood is one of three important components which we would like our projects to have," Lovely Romulo remarks. The other two components would be cultural and medical. "The first livelihood center which we put up is the one in Mandaluyong," Lovely intimates. "The center offers computer classes, training in hotel and restaurant administration, dressmaking, welding and even coffin making." Lovely also talks about establishing eco parks in selected areas in Metro Manila which she hopes will soon be realized, coupled with waste management projects.

"She is a quiet worker," says Ofelia Carague about Lovely Romulo with whom she has collaborated on a number of the cabinet spouses’ projects. "She’s very low key. She’d rather get things done than give speeches." Lovely also has only nice words about her partner in Bigay Puso who also happens to be the president of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. "She’s so reliable and hardworking," Lovely says of Dr. Carague.

In her speech, Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando focused on the emerging role of women in society. She had just returned from Korea where she attended a conference about the mainstreaming of urban women in society. "The UN has given much attention to women’s agenda in politics," she reports. "It is hoped that by 2005, there will be a 50-50 ratio of participation by women in government and politics." It was observed that places where women play an active role in government are often more progressive and productive. There is less corruption and more focus is given to services for the family.

The City Women’s Council of Marikina is the first of its kind in Metro Manila. Mayor Fernando is the chairman while Mel David is her co-chairman. "We have a good number of women’s clubs here," the lady mayor intimates. Besides the Zonta, Soroptemists, and Rotary Anns, there are a lot of women’s clubs in the various subdivisions. There is the Lakas Kababaihan, as well as the Mother’s Club, and even the Kabayani Ladies.

"We believe in women empowerment," Mayor Fernando says. About the women in the less-privileged areas in the city who are often unemployed and housebound, she says, "We want them to change their way of life and have a vision of where they want to go. Even by just learning how to put on makeup, they gain confidence and soon you see them out there, going into sales."

The first livelihood center in Marikina was established at the Marikina Sports Center. "It’s a place where the joggers can go for a massage or manicure at cheap prices," Mayor Fernando says.

Beth de Guzman is the livelihood director at the livelihood training and productivity center in Bulelak. A referral and placement scheme will be formulated and implemented for the graduates of the training center. "They must be able to earn from what they learn at the center," Mayor Fernando says, echoing Lovely Romulo’s sentiment about the importance of livelihood. "Hindi lang ito libangan."

Mayor Fernando expressed her gratitude in behalf of the residents of Marikina for this gift from the Bigay Puso and Philippine Cabinet Spouses Foundation, together with TESDA. After the ribbon cutting and the house blessing, after the throwing of candies and coins for prosperity, after the speeches and the signing of the memorandum of agreement, and after the picture taking with the guests who descended upon Bulelak, like a happy swarm of busy bees that sunny Friday morning, it was time for the residents of the barangay to get on with the work and become productive citizens.