TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur - Fifteen (15) former members of the Communist Party of the Philippines -New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) of Surigao del Sur discovered opportunities in growing abaca after attending the Seminar on Nursery Management and Cultural Management Practices for Abaca Production. The said activity took place at the Gold Bar n’ Grill from October 6-7, 2021.

Its goal is to establish an enabling program to prioritize, harmonize, and complement the delivery of basic services and other development interventions in the conflict-affected, poor, and vulnerable communities as focus areas.

During the two-day seminar, the participants learned about the importance of nursery management for abaca production, cultural management practices, and soil media preparation. They also received farm tools such as rake, shovel, pick mattock, and others as starter kits.

The speakers were all from the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) Caraga Region namely Justiniano M. Orina Jr., Psymie Madel F. Ceballos, and Marnelli F. Racsa. (with reports from Paula Mae Creencia)