• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental launched a project in a coastal barangay of E.B. Magalona town, dubbed “Dagyaw sa Kababainhan sa Tomongtong.”
The project aims to provide members of the Tomongtong Mangrove Eco Trail Women Workers Association and the YES O Club of EB Magalona National High School, knowledge in solid waste recycling, improvement of their personal finance skills, emergency preparedness and response for typhoon and fire calamities.
A solid waste recycling contest called “Trashformer” was also held, with the materials used gathered by 60 women during a coastal cleanup drive in Brgy. Tomongtong, E.B. Magalona.
During the September 7 session with the women’s groups in Barangay Tomongtong, E.B. Magalona, BPI BAYAN Negros Occidental, with Ma. Eliza Paz Dioneo Ebojo, Jean Ann Marie Nombre, and Christine Marie Villan as project head volunteers, also provided the participants with essential financial literacy skills on how to effectively manage their finances, such as budgeting, saving and responsible borrowing.
The team also introduced the “Breakthrough” application by the BPI Foundation Inc., a digital board game designed to test and improve their personal financial skills.
The E.B. Magalona Fire Station, represented by Fire Officers 1 Karl Vincent Gabelangoso and Ariel Taborete, also briefed the participants on basic firefighting techniques, while the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, represented by LTJG John Dave Barilea, discussed disaster preparedness and safety measures during typhoon calamities.
In 2023, the BPI Bayan Negros Occidental “Sidlak sa Latasan” project in EB Magalona was adjudged “Project of the Year (Padayon Category)” during the 2023 BPI Bayan Awards in Metro Manila.
The Sidlak Sa Latasan project is a continuing program and initiatives of BPI Bayan Negros Occidental, aims to rehabilitate and preserve mangrove areas in coastal barangay of Latasan in E.B. Magalona, and implementation of environment related programs, such as coastal cleanup, basura baylo bugas, emergency preparedness, and providing income generating livelihood training for its residents.*
