DOST 6 offers Alter-livelihood for Boracay Entreps

BORACAY, AKLAN—The closure of Boracay island gave Department of Science and

Technology Region VI the initiative to conduct training on Mushroom Production and Meat Processing in
order to provide the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Boracay skills and knowledge for
alternative sources of income and livelihood. The former was conducted last May 15-16, 2018 while the
latter was conducted last April 27, 2018, both at Manoc-Manoc, Boracay, Malay, Aklan.

In the Training for mushroom production, Ms. Devorah Manzanares, owner of Manzanares
Natural Farming System Enterprise and a mushroom grower since 2009 discussed the procedure on the
production of oyster mushroom (pleurotus) where samples of pure mushroom culture, grain spawn, and
fruiting bags were presented. A hands-on demonstration of fruiting bag production then followed.

Manzanares further shared several techniques and technical knowledge among the participants.
In the said two-day training, the module on mushroom culture and production was given to the participants
as the basis for the complete understanding of the step by step processes.

With the help of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Boracay (PCCI-Boracay), the
activity was attended by business owners and entrepreneurs who are interested to venture into mushroom
production.

On the other hand, Marichu Calizo from Aklan State University discussed the importance of food
safety and their hygienic practices in food preparation in the training on Meat Processing. Calizo further
discussed the proper measurement of ingredients, the importance of proper proportion and exact
measurement of preservatives and proper choice of meat to be used for a specific recipe. A hands-on
demonstration of pork tocino, chicken tocino, beef tapa and burger patty then followed.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte approved the six-month closure of Boracay Island to make way for
its rehabilitation, thereby officially closing the destination to foreign and local visitors for six (6) months
effective April 26, 2018. There are 18,788 displaced formal workers, profiling data from the Department of
Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) shows while there are 4, 733 from the informal workers like massage
therapists, and vendors.

The government has earmarked six months for Boracay’s closure identifying several benchmarks
to decide if it could open it much earlier such as an improved quality of the water on the beach, significant
progress on the road-widening projects and an improved handling of its solid waste.

Meanwhile, the DOST 6, being the excellent prime-mover of Regional and countryside
development with equity, continues to provide for the alternative livelihood and source of income for the
affected MSMEs as well as other programs aside from the livelihood aspect targeting several Key Result
Areas to the rehabilitation of Boracay as a sustainable tourism destination:
1. Providing Social Safety nets through training, livelihood, and employment assistance; and
2. Ensuring the health and sanitation of Boracay island.
(DOST6/JRAGabiota)
Ms. Marichu Calizo from Aklan State University demonstrates the procedure and techniques to MSMEs in Boracay on how to make pork tocino, chicken tocino,
beef tapa and burger patty.

Ms. Marichu Calizo from Aklan State University discusses to the participants the importance of food safety and their hygienic practices in food preparation.
Ms. Devorah Manzanares, owner of Manzanares Natural Farming System Enterprise and a mushroom grower since 2009 discusses the procedure on production
of oyster mushroom (pleurotus).

Ms. Manzanares demonstrated the inoculation of the bags by pouring the grain spawn into the sterilized fruiting bags. She guided the participants who
volunteered to do the same process for the remaining bags.