Villar to replicate livelihood projects in Negros

FORMER Las Pinas Representative Cynthia Villar pledged to replicate in Negros Occidental her successful livelihood projects out of wastes in other parts of the country.

Villar, in an interview with DyRL's Mercado Publiko Program, said she believes she can do more and push for her advocacies, particularly her “livelihood projects out of wastes” on a national scope if she wins as senator in the coming May elections.

“I believe that, in a national position, I can do more. I can be more influential in convincing people as senator rather than as a private individual,” said Villar, whose livelihood projects from wastes have gained international recognition when she received a United Nations award for “Best Water Management Practice in the World,” beating entries from 38 other countries.

Since her projects from wastes have been very successful in Las Piñas and are being duplicated in other areas, Villar said she wants to expand their reach and provide job opportunities, especially to women.

Through livelihood projects, which she has been propagating around, Villar said women can earn extra income without having to leave their homes and children behind.

She also belied allegations that the “Misis Hanep Buhay” tagline was adopted to further her political bid. She stressed that the tagline reflects her work and it represents what she did and what she has been doing.

The three-time congresswoman said the moment she sees a livelihood project, she knows whether it will be feasible or not.

She said her livelihood projects from wastes started with the river rehabilitation.

“When we began dredging the river, we saw all the dredged wastes. For the program to succeed, the wastes should be stopped from going to the river. So we looked for a technology to process the waste. We first have the water lilies made into products like bags and baskets, among others,” she said.

She also said the many coconut husks in their markets have been turned into coconets, so they will not be thrown into the rivers. Coconets are used as alternative to cement for rip-rapping.

“We likewise embarked on making useful things out of kitchen and garden wastes. When I was a congresswoman, we built 60 composters in different barangays and we processed kitchen wastes and produced organic fertilizer given to farmers in the provinces,” she said.

Villar said they also started blanket weaving in Las Piñas City. She buys the yarn being woven by the women.

She also cited parol-making, wherein materials also come from bamboos which grow abundantly along river banks.

At present, she said they are developing citronella massage oil and making charcoal. “We’re planting citronella plants along riverbanks so informal settlers will not occupy them,” she said.