Rice on the Go

By: Alice B. Rebuelta From the simple dream to become productive and to help augment the family’s income, the Rural Improvement Club (RICE) was organized last October 23, 2009, with 26 rural women and 8 men forming the initial membership. Officers were then elected and inducted into the office, and their simple lives began to change.

The officers and the members of RICE have undergone a series of training and seminars which equipped them in various skills and knowledge of homemaking and agri-related activities/projects. Trainings on Moringa Culture and Processing together with Fishery Product Development were conducted for this group through the collaborative efforts of various government institutions. Some officers and members have attended the Regional Women’s Congress at Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City for two consecutive years. In that activity, our RIC members garnered consolation prizes in composo with Mrs. Deocila A. Fernandez, President of RICE together with Mrs. Alicia B. Rebuelta, Municipal RBO Coordinator. Both attended the National RIC and HEEAP Congress at Santiago City, Isabela last August 23-26, 2010. It was a memorable experience, especially to Amy, as she represented Region 6 during the search for RIC and was 2nd Runner up.

The group’s first project is the planting of Moringa (malungay) along the national highway from the boundary of Tigayon to the Provincial Capitol. Bayanihan spirit was observed in seeding, transplanting, watering and taking care of the malungay trees. After attending the training on malunggay processing the group is now producing pulvoron with malunggay which is very saleable for it’s nutritive value. Training on Food Processing and Fishery Product Development was conducted last February 2 – 4, 2011 through the collaborative efforts of DA-BFAR-RFTC 7 to RICE which the group members are now using in their squash puto making.

Last December, RICE held a caroling activity to raise funds for a noble cause. With 31 active members, they used the amount of Php16,000.00 from the 5 nights caroling to buy groceries and rice, and donated used clothings to 31 needy recipients. It is a heart-warming experience share God’s blessings with our ka-barangays. Our active group of women is also participating during the Brigada/Clean-up Drive of barangay Estancia every last Saturday of the month.

Out of these naïve, shy and simple rural women has emerged talented, skilled, and hardworking mothers. With continuous help and support from our Local Government Unit of Kalibo as well as other government institutions, this group will reach farther and become effective partners in rural development. They will continue to carry out the Rural Improvement Club’s program components such as food and nutrition, gender and development, family life and youth development, home management, and agribusiness. More power RICE!/TE