Empower the poor through livelihood, Villar urges

FORMER Las Pinas representative Cynthia Villar, managing director of Villar Foundation, reiterated that the most effective way to help poor Filipinos to rise out of poverty is through livelihood.

In her speech at the recent general assembly of Kababayan Riders Association for New Cultural Harmony and Order (Karancho), a non-governmental organization, Villar expressed optimism that providing livelihood skills, especially to those affected by typhoon Pablo in Davao Region, would help them land a job and rebuild their lives.

"Kami (at Villar Foundation) ay naniniwala na ang pinakamabisang tulong an aming maibibigay sa ating mga naghihikahos na mga kababayan ay sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng kabuhayan, hindi sa pagbibigay limos na panandalian lamang ang ginhawang maidudulot," she told hundreds of participants during the Karancho national assembly at RMC Gymnasium in Davao City.

She said there is a need to empower the impoverished so "they can stand on their own two feet" and have their own source of income.

"That's why we at the Foundation regulalry conduct training programs to equip them with the livelihood skills," she said.

She added the impoverished sector is just looking for right opportunity through the help of those who "really empathize with them."

"And I am happy that Karancho also puts great focus and importance on community service," she said.

In her speech, Villar also cited the Foundation's "green social enterprises" which they initiated in Las Pinas that have already benefitted hundreds of families, particcularly the women sector.

"Napapakinabangan na ng mahigit 500 na pamilya ang programa naming ito. Nabigyan namin sila ng sources of livelihood sa mismong komunidad o barangay nila. Most of them are women, kulang ang pinag-aralan o di kaya ay walang mapag-iwanan ng kanilang anak kaya hirap makahanap mg trabaho," she said.

She added that women should always help their husbands in providing for their children.

"I am not convinced that women should just stay at home and take care of the house and their children. They should help their husband earn a living to have a good life," Villar said.