By Kimberly S. Miguel

True to its mandate as a university for all, Mariano Marcos State University ensures that women in communities are empowered through its extension programs. 

Due to their active participation in various MMSU extension activities, women in the communities are now instrumental in social mobilization in responding today’s challenges. 

The Women of SOA

More than 1,000 community members enrolled at the MMSU School-on-the-Air program dubbed Tarabay iti Pagtaengan, Pagbiagan, Salun-at (TIPPS) ken Dadduma Pay last year. Of this number, 430 are women.

Embodying a strong Ilokana in the new normal, female participants of the SOA showed their capability in adopting and applying various agricultural and livelihood technologies in their homes. 

Ms. Ruvelyn Almazan, a local farmer-technician of the City of Batac, is now a strong advocate of organic-based integrated farming. She has started building her name in food processing and marketing by making fermented fruit juices, pickled papaya, salted egg, and banana chips. 

Also, Ms. Mecel Mae Eda, also a BS Agriculture student of MMSU, has started her livelihood activity in food processing after learning how to innovatively prepare various food products made from papaya, tomato, garlic, and onion. 

Despite having Bell's palsy, Ms. Maria Milagros Camalig, a resident of Currimao, is now able to grow oyster mushrooms for her family and friends. She has also tendered her herbal and vegetable garden, with her harvests shared and sold in their village.

These women have openly expressed how the technologies they learned have impacted their lives. 

“Babaen iti SOA program, nakasursurokami iti baro a teknolohia a pudno a makatulong kadakami,” they shared. [Through the SOA program, we learned new technologies that are really beneficial to us.]

The Women of Balik-Probinsiya Program

Aside from the radio-based development program, women are able to venture into agri-based enterprises through the MMSU’s Balik-Probinsya program. Titled “Deployment of Agri-Fishery Enterprise Model/Modules,” the program provided training on food processing and livestock technologies, and gave livelihood packages to returning residents who were severely affected by the ongoing crisis. 

Among those who have started to market meat- and fish-based food products are Ms. Sharon Flores and Ms. Catherine Manuel of Badoc, Ms. Jovita Curammeng of Adams, Ms. Rosalyn Salacan of Marcos, Ms. Cherry Ann Saludez of Currimao, Ms. Evelyn Tabieza of Bacarra, and Ms. Alfreda Calaparan of Sarrat. Through this enterprise, they are serving as breadwinners of their families. 

Likewise, those who are faring well in livestock raising are Ms. Divine Grace Reytana, Ms. Hazel Lista of Pasuquin, and Ms. Imelda Marcelino of Solsona. With proper care and maintenance, they have already established their native chickens and goats and now gain more profit. 

“Dakkel a suporta dagitoy a tulong ti MMSU kadakami ta nabalinanmi ti nangrugi manen a tumakder iti bukod a kabaelanmi,” they shared. [These livelihood packages of MMSU are a great support to us because these enable us to stand on our own feet.]

Their livelihood activities continue to generate income amid the debilitating effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the African swine fever in the province. 

These extension programs of the university have empowered women in communities. They are now able to provide bread and butter for their families and contribute to community development. 

On the part of MMSU, its high impact and transformative extension programs that cater to women and men only prove that it is a university for all. (HLY/JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)