Livelihood program for Women

CEBU, Philippines —  A ‘blooming’ Cebu is to be seen as a livelihood program was recently launched in the city. The program, dubbed “Imee Kabuhayan,” is a project of Senator Imee Marcos. Its beneficiaries have chosen to propagate Bougainvilla, locally known as Bombil, as their project.

With the guidance of the Imee Ladies-Kabuhayan-Cebu officers, the 26 beneficiaries from the mountain barangay of Busay in Cebu City and barangay Gaas in Balamban town are provided the necessary support such as formation and education and training. The group is led by Linda Chang together with Gladys Andre Duenas Uy, Josephine Luym, Marylou Ang, Sonia Yuvallos, Christina Chan Lo, Jaime Chua, Zandro Sy Guillo, Annie Ebasitas, Imma King and Bernice Ocampo.

In her speech during the launching of the program at Bayfront Hotel in Cebu City, Marcos noted that Bougainvilla is getting to be popular landscaping plant, easy to cultivate and does not need much care, and grows quite fast. A member of the board of the Imee Kabuhayan Cebu revealed that, in fact, they already have some orders of Boungainvilla.

The “Imee Kabuhayan” is a nationwide livelihood program to promote women empowerment in the basic sectors of society. It aims to encourage women, young and old alike, in the rural and urban poor areas of the country, to rise above their current conditions by developing a sense of self-reliance coupled with ambition while working together, fostering cooperation, unity and accountability within the community in order to achieve a common goal.