Soon, you may be wearing or taking about a clothing brand that is truly world-class quality being sold nationwide or even abroad. The clincher is that the clothing brand comes from Tagbilaran and the garments are made by Tagbilaranons.
The local government unit (LGU) of Tagbilaran and the business sector just signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) effectively sealing the existence of the livelihood program dubbed as Bangon ug Abante Sa Bag-ong Asenso.
The City Media Bureau relayed this piece of information to The Bohol Tribune yesterday, Nov. 21, 2020.
The MOA was signed by Mayor John Geesnell Yap II, Argeo Melisimo of the First Consolidated Bank (FCB), Fr. Val Pinlac from the City Livelihood Development Office, and Mayette Gasatan from the Bohol Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
According to the City Media Bureau report, the signing of the MOA took place at the City Hall Atrium and was witnessed by the officers and members of the Tagbilaran City Livelihood Council.
The Bangon ug Abante Sa Bag-ong Asenso Livelihood project aims to transform the lives of Tagbilaranons, through the provision of a sustainable and viable socio-economic enterprise.
Mayor Yap said the project is looking forward to establish a Tagbilaran Garments Manufacturing Industry which could produce quality ready to wear (RTW) garments and other cloth-based products here in Bohol, to be distributed nationwide, and possibly exported abroad using the Tatak Tagbilaran brand.
“This is another milestone of Tagbilaran. We want to strengthen the entrepreneurial aspirations of our constituents and we believe that this livelihood project is an appropriate avenue to achieve that vision. We are very much thankful to our partners, the FCB Foundation, University of Bohol, The Bohol Island State University, Tagbilaran City College, (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) TESDA, Dr. Linda Paredes of (United States Agency for International Development-Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth and Equity) USAID SURGE Project, the 14th (Sangguniang Panlungsod) SP led by Vice-Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso and Committee Chair on Livelihood City Councilor Dulce Glovasa. I would also want to acknowledge the unwavering efforts of Sir Argeo Melisimo, Fr. Val Pinlac, (First Lady) FL Jane Yap, and the rest of our City Livelihood Team for making this project possible”, Yap said.
This initiative is a three (3)-year livelihood project which aims to utilize, empower, maximize, and enhance the capability of interested Tagbilaranons by providing them with skills training in dressmaking and tailoring. The objective of the project is to provide an avenue to the Tagbilaranons to earn a decent income to help improve their economic status.
The 1st year of the project would be devoted to beneficiary identification, profiling, social preparation, and skills training activities.
The 2nd and 3rd year will focus in the organization and strengthening of the cooperative and the actual manufacturing business operation and enterprise development.
To date, the beneficiaries have already undergone social preparatory trainings under the facilitation of the program’s partner university, University of Bohol (UB) in Values Formation Education, Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health Education, Gender Sensitivity and Development, and Financial Management Operation. Upcoming skills training in dressmaking and tailoring will be facilitated by the Bohol Island State University (BISU) and TESDA.
Mayor Yap said the project would definitely open new opportunities to Tagbilaranons.
“We want to have the best cutter, sewer, and apparel designer in the future. This livelihood project could open up new windows of opportunities and endless possibilities,” the Mayor added.