TACLOBAN CITY – At least P 2.3-million worth of livelihood assistance was distributed by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional office and the city government of Tacloban under Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez to beneficiaries on Friday.
DOLE Undersecretary Renato Ebarle and Assistant Secretary Mariano Alquiza led the distribution along with City Councilor Evangeline Esperas who represented Mayor Romualdez, DOLE 8 Director Yahya Centi, National Maritime Polytechnic Executive Director Romulo Bernardez, and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Emilia Cruz.
Sixty beneficiaries from different barangays received P 1.7-million worth of grant under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) for various livelihood activities like Dress Making/Tailoring, Pedicab, Nego-Cart, Rice Retailing, Bread and Pastry Making and Food Vending.
On the other hand, the Nazareth Farmers Association which has 27 members received P699, 000 worth of livelihood grant for their Sustainable Organic Vegetables and Milkfish Alternative Production Project.
Thirty-one coconut farmers in Barangay 12 Palanog also received P475,800 cash assistance, and a grant of P778,000 was given to the 24-member Tiangge Fruit Vendors Association (TFVA).
One of the beneficiaries of the assistance, Melanio Pelino, said that the grant will bring livelihood enhancement to him and members of their association.
“This livelihood grant is helpful to us who rely on fruit vending as a source of income to support my children and family in the financial aspect,” said Pelino.
“We thank DOLE and the city government for this assistance” he added.
The DILP aims to promote poverty reduction and provide protection to vulnerable and marginalized workers. The program promotes entrepreneurship through small income-generating projects.
(HENRY JAMES ROCA/CITY INFORMATION OFFICE)
