A TOTAL of 60 vendors from the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community near Clark Freeport recently benefitted from a joint livelihood program initiated by the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the City Government of Mabalacat.

In a ceremony held at the Clark Skills and Training Center (formerly Clark Polytechnic), members of the Clark Freeport Zone (CFZ) Vendors Association received financial assistance from Mabalacat City, while relevant materials for their organization, such as uniforms and IDs, were provided by CDC.

Grocery packs including canned goods and other essential food items were also provided.

The awarding of financial assistance, uniforms, and IDs was led by CDC chairman Jose De Jesus, CDC president Noel Manankil, CDC director Nestor Villaroman, Mabalacat Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, and CDC assistant vice president for External Affairs Rommel Narciso.

During the activity, De Jesus said this program will allow the vendors to have a designated area in the Freeport where they can showcase their products.

He also thanked Garbo in spearheading this initiative to improve the livelihood of IPs from communities near this Freeport.

"Magkakaroon kayo ng isang lugar kung saan kayo na ang pupuntahan ng mga customer para bumili ng inyong mga tinitinda. Pinapasalamatan ko din ang ating Mayor (Garbo) dahil malaking tulong ito para sa inyo (You will now have a place where customers can go straight to you to buy your products. I also thank our Mayor [Garbo] because this is a big help for you)," De Jesus told the Aeta vendors.

The beneficiaries of the livelihood program were given initial financial assistance of P1,000, and additional assistance will also be provided to them once they are able to settle at the identified selling area.

CDC has been creating programs to help uplift the welfare of IP communities near the Freeport. Some of these include the Aeta Pagsasarili Project and Soap Making Livelihood Program.

The state-owned firm also has projects on health, employment, and other special projects and partnerships which are all geared towards inclusive development. (PR)