SUMISIP, Basilan — For 26 women in this coastal village, a solar-powered ice plant is doing more than keeping fish fresh—it is helping keep their families afloat.
The women of Lower Binembengan are now running the community’s ice block production facility, turning a basic need of local fisherfolk into a source of income and a pathway to greater financial independence.
Before the facility opened, fishermen often had to travel to distant towns to buy ice, adding costs and risking spoilage of their catch. The locally operated plant now provides a steady supply directly to the community’s shoreline.
Operating since March 2026, the solar-powered facility is also helping create a more sustainable livelihood in the remote fishing village.
To strengthen the women’s business skills, the Ministry of Trade, Investments and Tourism (MTIT)-Basilan conducted hands-on training on Aug. 6 covering pricing, daily operations and financial management.
MTIT-Basilan Provincial Director Argie Sarco said the goal is not simply to help entrepreneurs start businesses but to support them as they grow.
“Our mandate is not only to assist entrepreneurs when they are starting their businesses. We also want to walk with them as they grow,” Sarco said.
He urged the women to separate personal money from business funds, track expenses and set prices based on actual operating costs to keep the enterprise profitable and sustainable.
The initiative is backed by the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and MTIT-Basilan.
Beyond providing ice, the women-led enterprise demonstrates how small, community-based businesses can strengthen local economies while giving rural women greater control over their livelihoods.
For Lower Binembengan, the ice plant is more than a business. It is helping fishermen protect their catch, families earn more and 26 women take charge of their economic future.
