Roberto Farsi, 50, used to tend a small farm, mainly for subsistence, before he joined Yamang Bukid. He was a helping hand to his parents trying to support his siblings’ education.
“Dati na akong nagsasaka ng mga gulay at prutas bago pa ako pumasok sa Yamang Bukid. Pero konti lang mga ‘yon. Madalas para sa amin lang pero kung sobra, binebenta ko rin,” he said.
Facing hard and tough times, he made good with his garden and before he knew it, one of his “scholars” is now about to graduate from college.
“Ang sarap kaya na mayroong nakapagtapos ng kolehiyo sa pamilya ko. Hindi man ako ‘yon, sila na lang, pero parang ako na rin ‘yong nakapagtapos,” he said.
When Yamang Bukid Healthy Products, Inc. (YBHP) established the Yamang Bukid Farm (YBF) in Palawan, Roberto was among the more than 100 residents of Barangay Bacungan who was hired to help develop a sprawling hilly and forested area into one of the country’s emerging sustainable eco-tourism destinations.
His new work proved to be another blessing to his family as this increased his income and meant more money to help more family members.
Soon, Roberto’s additional income gave the opportunity for his physically-challenged niece to enroll in an engineering course, providing her the chance to improve her life in the future.
YBF also helped him by shouldering his niece’s weekly allowance which she uses to buy projects and other school requirements.
Like his sibling, his niece too, is now close to getting her diploma and fulfilling the dream of having a good life.
It’s no wonder why Roberto is so proud of the Yamang Bukid Farm that keeps him a motivated and hardworking employee every day.
“Sobrang nakatulong ang Yamang Bukid sa akin sa Bacungan. Sana marami pang ibang matulungan. Sana may mapag-aral pa ako ulit,” said Parsi.
