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A total of 70 senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) were recognized on Friday, Sept. 9, after successfully finishing their 11-day recycling and weaving activities under Pasig City’s SiPAG-ASA project.

SiPAG-ASA is a local government unit (LGU)-funded project under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

It opens livelihood opportunities for senior citizens and PWDs through skills training and learning.

In his speech, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said many senior citizens and PWDs expressed their interest and willingness to work in order to sustain their daily living, and support their families.

However, they could not join the previous TUPAD programs that were offered such as sweeping and maintaining the city’s streets and thoroughfares because the activities were too strenuous.

Hence, the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and Livelihood Office devised a project that was accessible and equally beneficial to seniors and PWDs, as well as environmentally friendly.

“The first batch were taught to weave bags out of their own collected scrapped materials for this project,” said Jelene Sison-Lopez, the head of Pasig PESO, in a text message.

The beneficiaries began their 11-day training and learning sessions on Aug. 17 until Sept. 1.

Sison-Lopez said the finished products – handbags made out of tetrapacks, sacks, and other recyclable and upcycled materials – were displayed during the graduation ceremony.

While some of the products were sold, “some of the beneficiaries preferred to use it as their bags,” she added.

Sotto commended the beneficiaries for their diligent efforts in creating the beautiful bags.

Although TUPAD may be a “short-term employment program”, Sotto said they aim to create “sustainable” projects that will benefit people in the long-term.

“Pag napalaki po natin ito, ipatuloy natin ang programang ito, nagawa nating sustainable, pwede natin itong gawing industriya sa lungsod ng Pasig. Hindi lang pang-display o pang-giveaway. Pwede natin ito i-export sa America, sa Europa (If we expand, continue, and make this program truly sustainable, we can even make this into an industry in Pasig City. The bags could not just be for display or for giveaways. We can export this overseas),” he said.

Sotto assured the senior citizens and PWDs of the local government’s support in scaling up this project.

Even though the first batch has completed their sessions, Sison-Lopez said “those who expressed their interest to learn more have already signed up for additional livelihood skills training under the Pasig City Livelihood Office.”

Others who graced the ceremony were Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr., Congressman Roman Romulo, and city councilors.

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