According to Carmen Singgo, manager of the Provincial Ecological Waste Management Office sometime in 2001, Governor Auring E. Cerilles had organized a group of environment-friendly ladies in Pagadian City and the province. It aimed at helping the local government manage the recyclable wastes at the same time earn from it, a way of  augmenting their family income.

Soon after their organization, the group has produced baskets, flowers, bags, accessories, etc. out of waste papers and empty tetra packs and other recyclable wastes in the neighborhood.  In fact, certain Lourdes Zozobrado is the number 1 producer of these products which she earned much from it already, Singgo elaborated.

Singgo said that the members may be earning out of these products but they still want to know more skills and at the same time earn more out of it.  “Our office have facilitated and coordinated with the DOLE for possible funding of the proposed trainings which is now being realized,” Singgo gratefully said.

Following the standard operating procedure of releasing DOLE funds, Regional Director Carlos L. Boteros last Friday night (Nov. 16) turned over the check amounting to P145,370 to lady Governor Auring E. Cerilles at her office.  The amount will be used to fund the 3 livelihood training cum production, namely: 1) Fine Crafts making using fossilized leaves and flowers; 2) Fermentation of fruits and vegetables; and 3) production of eatable products which are banana-based.

The turn-over was attended by the officers and members of the Zero Waste Recycling Movement headed by its president Rosa Dimasar who won as Barangay Chairwoman of Kawit, this city.

Provincial Officer Virgie Bonbon and other DOLE personnel accompanied their Regional Director in the turn-over ceremony.

The Zero Waste Recycling Movement was among the 5 organizations in Zamboanga del Sur as recipients of financial assistance granted by DOLE regional office 9 which totaled to P407,340.

Bonbon disclosed that they already turned over checks amounting to P60,000 each to Tigbao, Lakewood and Midsalip for cattle raising and dispersal projects while P82,030 to Tukuran for seaweed farmers.