Eighteen members of Aeta ‘soap smiths’ recently received donations from a resort firm here to provide help and support for their daily living.
Filinvest Mimosa recently distributed assorted food packs and sanitary supplies to the Clark Indigenous Soapmakers Association (CISA), an association of Aeta soap smiths being supported by Clark Development Corporation (CDC), held at the Clark Skills and Training Center (formerly Clark Polytechnic) inside the Freeport.
The event is part of CDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project in collaboration with Clark locators to help alleviate the well-being of the Indigenous People (IPs) in the surrounding area.
Filinvest Mimosa Estate Manager Allan Almario thanked CDC for the opportunity in making their CSR project possible by reaching out to the Aeta community in the surrounding Clark area. He was joined by Filinvest Mimosa Site Officer Patricia Feliciano, and Filinvest Alabang Inc. Site Officer Kenn Pine to represent their company during the distribution of supplies.
Also present during the said activity are CDC Asst. Vice President for External Affairs Rommel C. Narciso and CDC Corporate Social Responsibility and Placement Division (CSRPD) Asst. Manager Ronald T. Antonio.
CISA is composed of IPs residing mostly from Sapang Bato in Angeles City, and Sitio Haduan and Marcos Village in Mabalacat City.
Last year, CDC held a four-day training on Soap Making wherein 50 Aeta trainees benefitted from the livelihood initiative organized by the state-owned firm.
Some of these trainees who completed their training have also received livelihood assistance from CDC and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which strengthened the spirit of entrepreneurship with the IP group.