News

Ahunan Power Inc., together with Prime Infra Foundation, launched a livelihood program in Pakil, Laguna focused on expanding income opportunities for farmers through the cultivation of mushroom and vermicomposting. 

The program aims to benefit members of Punla Samahan ng mga Magsasaka ng Pakil, a community-based organization, and help them transition from subsistence farming to managing and sustaining an enterprise. 

“Through the program, we assisted Punla members in strengthening their skill set, expanding their knowledge into more sustainable livelihood opportunities,” said Prime Infra Foundation Programs and Operations Head Bernadette Tan. 

The group underwent study tours and experiential training, helping them further gain exposure to various innovative cultivation practices such as organic agriculture, soil health, and proper seed selection. 

The Punla members also enhanced their capabilities in organizational development to operate as a recognized farmers group. 

Aside from mushroom cultivation, the Punla members acquired skills in preparing and packaging mushroom-based products such as mushroom chicharon, as well as planting materials like vermicast, vermicompost, and oyster mushroom spawn, to earn more income. 

With the assistance from Ahunan and Prime Infra Foundation, Punla targets to have a cultivation facility within the year and produce 500-kilograms each of vermicast and vermicompost, and more than 10,000-kg of mushroom annually. 

Punla President Gregorio Kaharian expressed thanks for the support provided to Punla as they aim to steadily grow their mushroom production and promote it across the province. 

“Kami po ay natutuwa sapagkat ‘yung tulong na inaasahan namin ay pinagkaloob na sa amin. Pinagkalooban kami ng lupang pinagtitirikan ng building, pinagkalooban ng building, ng laboratory, at nadagdag pa ‘yung opisina at isang transport vehicle. Ang aming target talaga, mapalago nang mapalago at maipakilala dito sa buong Laguna na mayroon kaming mushroom production, na from farmers,” he said. 

The livelihood initiative for Punla is part of the Tayo Na Pakil program, which takes on a community-centered approach towards an inclusive and sustainable future for the municipality of Pakil, alongside the development of the 1,400-megawatt pumped storage power project. 

As of end 2025, Tayo Na Pakil program was able to benefit thousands of Pakileños in different initiatives in education, health, skills development, livelihood, culture, and community resilience.