Department of Agriculture (DA) trained members of Malayang Magsasaka ng Hacienda Luisita (MALAYA) and immediate family members of the Hacienda Luisita incident victims on vegetable production.
Dubbed as “Simula ng Pag-Unlad ng Grupong Malaya”, this is line with the commemoration of the 17thanniversary of Hacienda Luisita incident.
It aims to provide skills that will benefit the members of MALAYA in acquiring capacities to improve livelihood and elevate their living conditions.
MALAYA Chairperson Florida “Ka Pong” Sibayan said they have been commemorating the Hacienda Luisita incident peacefully since they turned away from Alyansang Magbubukid ng Asyenda Luisita, an organization affiliated with the communist terrorist group.
“This marks the third year of peaceful commemoration of the incident. Over the last two years, the theme of our commemoration has been focused on healing and peace, and this time we also want to showcase the progress of MALAYA through skills and livelihood development with the help of government agencies,” Sibayan said.
They also received certified vegetable seeds to apply the skills they learned in the training.
Tarlac Police Provincial Office, through their Barangayanihan Project, handed food packs to the participants.
Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Tarlac also committed to continue providing training to the organization.
To date, TESDA has already provided bread-making training to MALAYA and Malayang Kabataan ng Asyenda Luisita.
The activity is in fulfillment of Executive Order No. 70 of President Duterte which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict.