“Manipod idi ada dayta nga as-asukar, uray awan iti sida, mamati kayo nga maysa daytoy tapno mangresolbar iti malnutrition ken kinapobre ditoy lugar tayo (Ever since sugar processing started [here in Licoy, we could eat plain rice with it] even without any viand. Thus, this initiative may help solve malnutrition and poverty in our community).”
Marcela Manalay of the Pastoral Mission of Paracelis Council (PMPC) highlighted the significant and potential impacts of muscovado production in Licoy, a remote Indigenous community in Poblacion, Paracelis, Mountain Province, Philippines, during the inauguration of the Inapinan Farmers Organization Incorporated (IFOI) Muscovado Processing Center on 2 May 2022.
With the theme “Pakosdoron tako da sigud e mataguwan ta awad ambaruwan ta ginanakan (Strengthen traditional economic livelihood for the benefit of the future generation),” the inauguration signified both the closing of the Project Phase 1-Construction of muscovado processing and the opening of new project for the completion of the facility towards a multi-purpose building to house not just the muscovado processing of IFOI but serves as administration office and will cater other production processes of the farmer’s Organization.
The said project’s phase 1 is mainly funded by SwedBio through Tebtebba and with additional support from the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas Foundation Philippines and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Poblacion, Paracelis but a lot is still needed to be installed for the full functioning of the facility thus the inauguration also aims to solicit ideas from all community members concerned and supporting entities as to what can be done to complete the project’s phase 2.
The inauguration was attended by the community members, elders and leaders of Licoy and Babba, headed by Pangat (Supreme Leader) Gregorio Danggalan, John Dawagan and Rico Sumalag, six staff of Tebtebba, representatives from the LGU headed by Barangay Administrator Magsino Biangalen and Kagawad (Barangay Councilor) Benjamin Gayudan, members of the Social Action Council of the local Catholic Church, and other support groups of IFOI.
The event started with a ceremonial blessing officiated by Brother Rico Sumalag followed by the traditional inaugural ritual, the Kos-ag performed by an invited ritualist from the Ga’dang people, Antonio Cayyog. Both rituals prayed for the blessings of the Almighty One—strength and durability of the different parts of the building, peace inside the structure, and for the house to expel bad spirits within it. The activity proceeded with the acknowledgement of guests and subsequent messages from key leaders related to Licoy community.
“Establish your boundary. Maminsan makabankrupt ti gobyerno wenno dadduma nga private institution ngem agfocus kayo lang, nu anya dagiti plano yo nga maragpat. Ipagna yo ti tattao nga amu yo makatulong ta adda balikas nga kunana, ‘If you want to walk fast, walk alone; if you want to walk further, walk together; if you want to walk your destiny, walk with the right people.’ Ta ti aramid tayo paggalelawan ti buo nga Paracelis. (Establish your boundary. Sometimes, the government and other institutions are not really helpful but just focus on your goals, on what do you plan to achieve. Coordinate with people who, you know, will help as there is this saying which goes, ‘If you want to walk fast, walk alone; if you want to walk further, walk together; if you want to walk your destiny, walk with the right people.’ Therefore, our initiative will definitely become a model to the whole of Paracelis),” Kagawad Gayudan advised the IFOI.
The inauguration culminated with a banquet lunch and socialization through traditional dancing and singing in the afternoon.
Completion of the MPC towards becoming a multi-purpose building will continue after the inauguration, according to IFOI Chairman Anthony Dawagan. Priority construction of a comfort room and the shade for the furnace and pressing area, the installation of a water tank, plumbing, and electrical wiring of the building were also mentioned.
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