MAGSICO RESIDENTS FIND NEW INCOME SOURCE

An environmental livelihood initiative of a hinterland parish and a mining company backed by the government’s regulatory agency for mining has now provided a steady livelihood to at least 38 residents since it started early this year.

They have been producing Mzuri beads from used magazines, candles from used cooking oil, specialty paper and paper charcoal from waste paper, vermi compost fertilizer from scrap food and dried plant materials with the aid of vermi worms.

The beneficiaries who have formed San Agustin de Hippo Environmental Stewards will also soon produce ropes from used plastic, disclosed Mitzie Almira I. Carin, division manager for human resources and administration of Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC).

SEDC collaborated with St. Augustine de Hippo Parish in Magsico, San Fernando in realizing the environmental livelihood program that earned the support of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in the region.

They pursued the project to develop integral sustainable solutions through a conservation trade-off approach that can benefit both the people and the environment.

“That was why we opted to provide Magsico parishioners the means to gain additional income, and linked them with the business sector for social and economic development support,” said Carin.