“BE ACTIVE in the ongoing debates on federalism,” said Consultative Committee (ConCom) member Art Aguilar before the members of Kilusang Pagbabago Negros (KP-N) in their second founding anniversary held at Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City.
Aguilar, a Negrense, was the resource speaker on federalism in the assembly of KP-N on Saturday.
He said that while their task of crafting a federal charter is finished, the bigger task is now with the top leaders of the government, and the Filipino people.
Aguilar emphasized the final document on the federal charter will still go through extensive discussions in the cabinet, House, and the different sectors.
“Whatever is the final charter for presentation to the plebiscite, the people must be able to give it a serious attention, so they can find out which parts are okay and which are not, because, in the end, the success of the shift to federal form of government will depend on the support of the people,” Aguilar stressed.
Meanwhile, in the second founding anniversary of KP–N which was attended by more than 2,000 founding members, Kasama sa Pagbabago Inc. (KPI) president Archie Baribar announced the official launching of its Project Igme, with the first batch of beneficiaries.
Project Igme is a social enterprise project of KPI which aims to provide sustainable livelihood to its members and partner organizations.
Project Igme contains a package of livelihood projects, among them, hog growing and dispersal, goat raising, Peking ducks breeding, mushroom production, food products processing, organic rice and vegetables production.
Under the said project, KPI beneficiaries are provided with capital and technology in growing the specific project like hog growing and ensure its full success.
Before the beneficiaries are awarded livelihood projects, they must undergo intensive technical training at the learning academy of Pag inupdanay Inc. (PI) in Dulao, Bago City.
The KPI Project Igme also ensures the marketing of all the products of its beneficiaries with premium prices and incentives.
The funds for Project Igme both come from external donors, government and private, and the contributions of its own members, mostly from local chapters of Kilusang Pagbabago.
Baribar said that through Project Igme, the KPI will be able to contribute to the reduction of dependency of the people in government and improve the living conditions of the people especially the vulnerable sectors of rural communities.
KPI Project Igme will announce every month the awards to qualified beneficiaries who come from the lists of applicants from among its members and partner organizations, added Baribar.
He also said that it welcomes funds and technical support from the government and private foundations which would possibly increase its number of beneficiaries throughout the Negros Island. (Karl Ombion/SunStar Bacolod)