CESO | SACO: Stronger Economies. Better Lives.

PHILIPPINES ––  In a remote region of the Philippines, a CESO volunteer worked with the Cordillera Beekeepers Federation and a university foundation to train more than 160 beekeepers in honey processing and products. Honey production increased 15%, and the partners laid a solid foundation for increasing the incomes of beekeeping families. Government agencies also stepped in after the volunteer left, promising to expand the initiative into other remote areas. The project has been a huge success, with reports in the media and a citation from the president of the Philippines.
 
Three CESO volunteers gave their hearts, minds and time to work on the project last year. Their hard work paid off as the federation was the Grand National Winner in the “Kanayunang Kabuhayan Award” for the well-organized and sustainable agricultural work it does that makes the community economically stronger. In May, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyopresented the award and 150,000 PHP (Philippine peso) to the federation.
 
Through a collaboration of both local and international efforts, beekeeping has become a sustainable livelihood for those in the remote region of Cordillera.
 
In the past month, a wild bee project began on the environmentally-protected Palaui Island in Santa Ana, Cagayan. Two CESO volunteers trained beekeepers there on how to breed bees, preserve beehives and create a system for harvesting. In April, the first harvest produced 100 litres of organic honey that they were then able to start selling. About 100 aboriginal families, who reside on the island, and live on food they farm and fish for themselves, will benefit from this project.