(BY: PABLO ARANAS)
Lingkod Banahaw Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LBPC) is owned, controlled and managed by PWDs in Quezon province. It was duly registered at the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on January 18, 1998 and is a founding member of the NFCPWD. LBMPC enjoys the recognition of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) and Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) of Candelaria. It is also a member of CAALAMAN (Candelaria, Ang Lakas Ay Nasa Mamamayan) Council and the Municipal Cooperative Development Council (MCDC) and is accredited at the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP).
To date, LBMPC has 30 members with different disabilities. The cooperative stresses on including women-PWDs into its membership.It conducts appropriate trainings, offers opportunities for in-come-generation and helps uplift its members' standard of living to facilitate their becoming "a part of and not apart from" the mainstream of society. In this regard, LBMPC packaged its programs and projects as follows:
CHAIR PRODUCTION PROJECT
This offers skills training as well as income to the members and the cooperative. For the past eight years, the project has been emhancing the members' ability and workmanship and had instilled dedication and self-discipline among them. Sixteen members are employed whenever the Federation office enters into contracts and when there are projects from local customers. The cooperative is capable of producing a minimum of 1,000 pieces of school chairs a month. Workers' salaries are usually above the minimum wage declared by law.
LETTUCE-GROWING
This project started in October 2006. It aims to provide livelihood for women PWDs. Using a Simplified Non-Circulating Hydroponics (SINCH) technology, 16 shelves that have the capacity to produce at least 100 kilos per week have been prepared. Production can be easily increased once a regular market is developed. With the technology, the member-PWDs plant without the use of soil to eliminate the hard work entailed in tilling the land. Six members, mostly women, are employed in the project. The products are sold locally and in Metro Manila.
HOG-RAISING
In 2006, the cooperative bought eight piglets, one of which was intended to become a sow for bearing piglets. A member takes charge of the hogs at the backyard of the workshop. Some months ago, the sow gave birth to 10 piglets but only seven survived. The surviving hogs are now for sale. A percentage of the income will be given to the caretaker and the remaining amount will be divided among the members to increase their share capital. Plans on developing this project are underway.