SK launches farm in Albay

Marcel Riñon

The Sagip Kapamilya-Simon of Cyrene Village, situated in Peňafrancia, Daraga, Albay, is a community organized by Sagip Kapamilya in partnership with Simon of Cyrene Children’s Rehabilitation and Development Foundation for differently-able people and their families, other vulnerable groups, and community workers who lost their homes during Super Typhoon Reming last November 30, 2006.
The village became a reality during its blessing and inauguration on January 31, 2008. Housing units were awarded to qualified beneficiaries. Since then, Sagip Kapamilya and Simon of Cyrene worked together and forged plans to evolve the village into a social laboratory, where persons with disabilities and their families can live together within the context of Community Based Rehabilitation Program.
Sagip Kapamilya takes cognizance of the critical impact of livelihood component in a relocation site like the Sagip Kapamilya-Simon of Cyrene Village. To attain a comprehensive land development of the village along livelihood activities, a farm plan is already in the pipe-line which intends to develop disabled people and their families to advocate for the right to decent, safe and sustainable livelihood that will improve their quality of life. An adjoining lot owned by Sagip Kapamilya will be used as farming area for the SKSC village residents. The project will serve as a model farm where families will efficiently and effectively plant crops. The idea is to keep members of the family economically productive.
The village farmers via the Homeowners Association will plan for the mechanisms to sustain the project with the guidance of Sagip Kapamilya and Simon of Cyrene. The expected outcome of the project is to have a self-reliant and economically resilient community.