Corporate Social Responsibility Davao Light Sustainability

Capacity building for differently-abled persons cooperative continues with dressmaking training

December 15, 2022

The Samahan ng may iba't-ibang Kakayahan sa Dabaw (SAKADAB) Consumer Cooperative, a group of differently-abled individuals in the Gawad Kalinga community in Los Amigos, Tugbok District of Davao City, expands their skills through a dressmaking training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region XI.

The training which started in early November this year is under the Cooperative Capacity Building Program of Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. The program was officially launched by signing a Memorandum of Agreement in October. This provides skills trainings that will further enhance the business management and dressmaking skills of the SAKADAB members.

“We aim to augment the sources of livelihood of SAKADAB by giving them trainings that will expand their own businesses”, said Fermin Edillon, Davao Light Reputation Enhancement Department Head. “Currently, they have a bakery and sari-sari store, and we amplify these with this dressmaking training and helping them build partnerships and linkages, with the end goal of sustaining their livelihood and strengthening their organization.”

Twenty-five SAKADAB member participants are trained in patternmaking and sewing techniques by trainers from TESDA Region XI. This dressmaking training will end in December and will be followed by packaging and branding training in 2023.

Since 2012, Davao Light, an AboitizPower subsidiary, and Aboitiz Foundation are supporting the organization through various volunteer activities and projects. From building their houses in the Gawad Kalinga-SAKADAB Village in Davao City government’s relocation site in Los Amigos, to providing their Productivity Center in 2013, and up until the gradual provision of various leadership and technical trainings, starter kits, and equipment, SAKADAB is on its way to self-sustainability.