SIXTY married women and wives of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) from six barangays in Mandaue City were taught some skills by the Mandaue City Coop (MCC) and Mandaue City College Technological Entrepreneurial Skills Training Center (MCCTEST).
The program was initiated by the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Station 3 in Barangay Basak with the City Mobile Force Company (CMFC) as part of its livelihood programs under its jurisdiction.
The activity was launched Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Jagobiao Gym.
Police Colonel Emmanuel Rabaya, MCPO Station 3 officer-in-charge, told SunStar Cebu on Tuesday that the program called "Proyekto na Pangkabuhayan" aims to help women, particularly the PDLs' wives, to help their family start a small business.
Rabaya said they target to empower women by enabling them to have their own source of income.
He added that the program also aims to minimize cases of domestic violence in families, as financial problems are among the reasons why couples fight.
"Some housewives engage in gambling like tong-its, mahjong, among others. So, instead, why not give them a means of living?" said Rabaya.
Tong-its and majhong are gambling games where players are required to pay the "tong," which is a pre-determined amount paid to the “house” every time a player wins in a game.
Some skills taught were how to make fabric soaps, dishwashing liquids, food such as siomai and longganisa, and other skills that can be used in the comfort of their homes.
Wives can then sell their products through physical or online selling.
In her speech, City Councilor Jennifer del Mar, who is also a member of the committee on women and family, said the program gives an opportunity for decent work to the housewives, especially housewives who are separated from their PDL husbands.
"This is the chance that they can have a decent way of living," said Del Mar.
“Pangkabuhayan sa naiwan na ilaw ng tahanan, a noble cause for noble men,” Del Mar added.
(Livelihood for the mother, the light in the home.)
Proyekto na Pangkabuhayan is not just for the wives of PDLs or the women sector. Rabiya said they will also target the youth and other sectors in the future.
The program will be conducted quarterly. (HIC)