By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
SPARK! Philippines announced that their women’s economic empowerment programs received a support from Quezon City local government unit under Mayor Joy Belmonte.
In the statement sent to THEPHILBIZNEWS, SPARK! Philippines disclosed that since 2016, Belmonte has been helping them in their advocacy in advancing women’s role in the economy even when she was still the city’s Vice-Mayor.
One of the projects was the Likhang Pilipina in Ali Mall to provide a platform for budding Filipina entrepreneurs in showcasing their creativity and entrepreneurial skills and to serve as an opportunity for them to offer their products to the public. The marketplace which is in its 5th year of operations is also in partnership with the Araneta Group of Companies and the Department of Trade and Industry.
Also in 2016, LIPAD Pinay or Local Inclusiveness Project for the Advancement of Filipino Women was implemented in Quezon City and this 2-year program engaged 8 Barangays through capacity development of barangay leaders in improving access, provision and control of resources, opportunities, and benefits to create an enabling environment to sustain and grow women-led micro and small enterprises in their respective barangays.
The successes of LIPAD Pinay in uplifting the lives of more than 150 women and their families became an indicator for Mayor Belmonte and SPARK! to partner in 3 more projects in 2020.
Also generous benefactors supporting the SPARK! Philippines’ programs are Seaoil Foundation, New Zealand Embassy, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and German Embassy Manila.
For more information about the SPARK! Philippines initiatives, you may visit their official Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/SparkPhilippinesInc/
