Villar SIPAG holds beekeeping seminar

Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) held a one-day basic seminar on bee keeping at Villar SIPAG Farm School located at the boundary of Las Pinas and Bacoor, Cavite.

Sixty one participants from Las Pinas, Bacoor, Dasmarinas, Imus, Muntinlupa, and Taguig listened to lectures on the history of beekeeping; origin and distribution of honeybee species; bee furniture and equipment; starting your own bee colony. Aside from lectures, there were also hands-on activities and demonstration on proper handling of bees and honey harvesting.

"Katulad ng lahat ng training programs at seminars dito sa ating farm school, our ultimate goal is to provide participants with a source of livelihood and income. With enough knowhow in beekeeping, you can start your own honeybee enterprise, even right from your own backyard," Sen. Cynthia Villar, Villar SIPAG director, told the participants.

Villar SIPAG partnered with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to give the introductory course on beekeeping which is usually given in three days.

Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, cited the BAI for implementing a training program on basic beekeeping. This program is in line with Republic Act 10611 entitled "An Act to Strengthen the Food Safety Regulatory System in the Country to Protect Consumer Health and Facilitate Market Access of Local Foods and Food Products, and for Other Purposes."

Under the law, BAI is mandated to perform food safety regulatory functions for food derived from animals including eggs and honey production. Administrative Order No. 14 of the Department of Agriculture also promotes the development of the honeybee industry.

Honey is a known antioxidant and has anti-bacterial properties. It has lots of benefits, including prevention of cancer and heart disease, reduce ulcers, reduce cough and throat irritation.

On top of its medicinal properties, honey bee is used in many other products, particularly cosmetics such as shampoo, skin care cream, soap and many more. It is also an ingredient of many food and beverages.