CATEEL, Davao Oriental, July 22, 2013—Twenty representatives from different small Catholic religious groups under the St. James de Apostle Parish in Cateel were trained to make rosaries from the uprooted coconut tress felled by typhoon Pablo/Bopha last December 4, 2012. 
The training on rosary-making held last June 5-8 was one of the initiatives launched by the Building Back Better (BBB) Movement under the Office of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon and the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP) Davao East Chapter.
The Livelihood Program is intended to assist victims of the typhoon recover from the damages caused by said typhoon in their livelihood. This activity is being supported by the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP), Feed the Hungry (FiT) – USA, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
More than 300 parishioners’ families in Cateel, who are members of the St. James de Apostle Beads Handicraft Association, have been trained for craft-making.
The parishioners are targeting to complete at least 50,000 rosaries which have been set for export to other countries.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) provided machineries for the training. However, the association hopes that they will be provided with their own equipment in making beads.
This training was attended by Marciano Tapiador, Jr., in-charge of the BBB Movement and PSD of the BCBP Davao East Chapter; Ma. Belinda Ambi, DTI Provincial Director, Jose Endona of DTI, Engr. Rose Villaruel, Julito Librado and Rolando Edquila of the PCA. (Sarx Lanos/IPID News)
