FORMER representative Cynthia Villar is eyeing her Senate bid as an opportunity to expand her livelihood project that has already established a total of 100 pilot centers in different parts of the country.
“I thought this will be my opportunity to expand the reach of my livelihood projects. I want to make a lot of difference in people’s lives,” said Villar, who has earned the moniker, “Misis Hanep Buhay.”
The 100 pilot centers have been established in various provinces across the nation in a bid to duplicate the livelihood centers or green social enterprises she initiated in Las Pinas City that provided livelihood to over 500 families.
She said livelihood projects in Las Pinas were very successful and sustainable up to now.
“So I thought I should share these experiences with other communities all over the country,” said Villar who served as a lawmaker for nine years.
In joining the senatorial bandwagon in the May elections, Villar said she would have a better chance of pushing through with her livelihood projects.
“Because the Philippines has 1,600 cities, we still have a long way to go,” said Villar, who feels that having a job is a solution to most of the problems.
With her livelihood projects, Villar wants to provide jobs even to those who didn’t finish elementary.
“There should be a balance where all will be afforded the opportunity to have a decent job and earn a living,” she said.
She noted that under the present condition, employers require that even factory workers should be high school graduates.
“So how about those who are not even elementary graduates?” asked Villar, who recently established the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance or Sipag to serve as center of all her efforts and endeavors in reducing poverty in the country.
Villar’s livelihood programs include waterlily products making, establishment of composting facility and coconet factory, and blanket weaving. She has also started plastic pulverizing in Leyte. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)