PGMA lauds Italian partnership in dev projects in rural areas

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has lauded the commitment and participation of the Italian government as a vital partner in development projects in some rural areas in the province of Iloilo.

Speaking at the Monday, December 1 inauguration of the Tinapay ng Bayan project of 15 out-of-school youths in Janiauy town, province of Iloilo, the President said the Italian government assisted the bakery project of the Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) of Janiuay with bakery equipment such as oven, refrigerator, baking pans and other tools.

The livelihood and hunger mitigation cooperation project is managed by the OSYs and located inside the Good Samaritan Gawad Kalinga project in Brgy. Sta Rita, Janiuay.

The bakery project is currently making profits in producing more than 1,000 packs of break every day delivered to various school canteens in the municipality of Janiuay.

Project president Wilfredo Cardinal Jr. reported to the President the status of the project that produces 15 kinds of breads everyday such as hopia, ensaymada, pan de sal, pan de leche, stick bread, biscocho, carrot and banana cakes and many others ordered by customers. .

Aside from the Italian government funding of P3000, 000, other funding comes from the local government funding of P180,454; development assistance fund of Cong. Arthur Defensor of P200,000; Gawad Kalinga fund of P114,000; and DSWD-SEA-K funding of P75,000 for the bakery project.

The Italian government represented by Sergio Qattrochi, project manager of the Italian Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said his government is committed to establish 20 Tinapay ng Bayan projects in 20 Iloilo towns as assistance to the OSYs and help mitigate poverty and hunger.

The Italian government financed the construction of 30 decent housing units costing P2.7 million for victims of Typhoon Frank in a two hectare lot donated by the late Engr. Timoteo Consing Jr. The same project site also houses 6 housing units donated by natives of Janiuay currently residing in Seattle, California.

Also turned over were 10 sewing materials and equipment worth P300,000 to the Women Association of Turban Abaca Handicrafts Association (TAHA).

Qattrochi said his government committed to help the Philippines and in Iloilo, the Italian government is putting up 180 housing units in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga. Aside from Janiuay, soon to be completed are 70 housing units in Lambunao, Iloilo and 80 housing units at the San Isidro relocation site in Jaro, Iloilo City.

by Lydia C. Pendon