Photo shows:(From left to right) Carla May B. Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation; Errol Barba, Chairman of Makati Persons with Disability Multi-purpose Cooperative; Danny Villas, Department Head of Makati Cooperative Development Office; Hon. Tosca Camille Puno-Ramos, Head of Committee of Cooperatives; and Ferdinand M. dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation
Manila Water Foundation supports the livelihood and sustainable endeavours of the Makati Persons with Disability Green Consumers Cooperative, through its Kabuhayan Para Sa Barangay (KPSB) program. With confidence and high hopes, the Foundation hands-over a P200,000 zero-interest loan payable in 24 months that will serve as the Cooperative’s seed-capital.
As an organization that focuses on underlining the capacity of persons with disabilities (PWD) as a significant part of a business production line while upholding environmental stewardship, the Makati Persons with Disability Green Consumers Cooperative manufactures and retails eco-friendly bags, pillows and pillowcases, swatch rags, and other sewn products. Recyclables such as used plastic tetra packs and old tarpaulins are reused as basic materials for its products.
Danilo Villas, Department Head of the Makati Cooperative Development Office, applauds the Cooperative for its desire to make a difference critically needed by the environment. “The local office truly salutes these PWDs who, in their own ways, live up to our environmental obligations” he shares. “We extend this respect to Manila Water Foundation for recognizing and strengthening such efforts. May the cooperative value this support to embolden the Foundation to continue its pursuit” he furthers.
Photo shows:Member of Makati Persons with Disability Green Consumers Cooperative, Jocelyn Broqueza sewing used juice tetra packs to eco-friendly bags.
Together with its 39 members, the Cooperative accepts the seed-capital with a promise to expend this on the road to better operations. “Each of us (members of the Cooperative) will work hand-in-hand to make this source of opportunity flourish”, says Errol Barba, Chairman of the Cooperative. “We are overwhelmed, and at the same time proud of the trust given to us by Manila Water Foundation. All the help we are receiving attests the trust granted to us by various parties as well as the local government” he adds.
The said beneficiary is the 14th cooperative that has received financial backing from the Foundation’s livelihood assistance program. Since its initiation in 2003, the KPSB program has already touched the lives of 2,265 families from Base of the Pyramid (BOP) communities. According to Ferdinand dela Cruz, President of Manila Water Foundation, the KPSB project aims to aid formed cooperatives like the said PWD group that are struggling to carry out its goals. “We are presenting the maximum grant of P200,000 to the PWD Green Consumers Cooperative not only because of their great potential, but also because of the immense optimism they exhibit towards their work and their cause” he voices.