VICE President Leni Robredo recently sat down with community leaders and residents to discuss how to improve their livelihoods during a visit to the towns of Hernani and Salcedo in Eastern Samar.
In her visit to Canhugas Nature Park, Barangay 2 Poblacion in Hernani, Robredo met with fisherfolk, tricycle drivers, and sari-sari store owners to discuss the various problems faced by the community. Lack of sufficient livelihood was the main issue raised, despite the community’s proximity to a possible tourist spot.
“We cannot rush this [development]. We want tourists to visit this place, but we need to prepare it first. A lot of opportunities can open up for you when it is easier to get here,” the Vice President told residents.
The VP was accompanied by representatives from TripKada and the Management Association of the Philippines, both of which committed to assist in the development of Canhugas Nature Park as a tourist destination.
Through Angat Buhay partners Lingap sa Laylayan ng Lipunan and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc., two Eastern Samar schools also received water filtration systems, and a pledge of two new classrooms for Salcedo National High School, respectively, were also turned over the same day.
She also encouraged the community to create a plan that would promote ecotourism in the area. The Vice President stressed the importance of careful planning especially when it involves bringing in livelihood opportunities.
“If there’s no master plan, it might go to waste. If we just talk among ourselves, we might waste this beautiful spot. We might not maximize the opportunities here. So developing this area is the first step,” she said.
The same day, Robredo also visited the members of the Farmers Entrepreneurs Association at a demo farm in Barangay Naparaan, Salcedo. In their conversation with the VP, the farmers identified the lack of financial resources to purchase livestock, poultry, and other farming materials as the biggest obstacle to improving their income.
In both dialogues, VP Leni underscored the importance of enhancing incomes of existing livelihood opportunities, as well as the need to create new ones.
“There should be enough jobs and income for you. If there’s a lack, something must be done,” she said.
