TACLOBAN CITY — Sixty-three beneficiaries from Hilongos, Leyte received a total of P2 million in livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office to help boost local economic recovery and support small-scale enterprises.
Two local groups — the San Isidro Farmers Association of Brgy. San Isidro and the Hilongos Seafarers Association of Brgy. San Juan — each received livelihood packages for hog fattening projects, consisting of 100 piglets and 100 sacks of feed per group, valued at P1 million each.
The turnover ceremony was attended by Hilongos Mayor Manuel Villahermosa, Darwinda Labastida, senior labor and employment officer and livelihood program focal person, and other local officials including PESO Manager Giovani Olo, barangay chairmen Reynaldo Tuco, and Carmen Virdejo of San Isidro and San Juan, respectively.
Mayor Villahermosa and the barangay officials thanked DOLE for its continued partnership with the local government in creating livelihood opportunities and uplifting residents’ quality of life.
The initiative forms part of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), a flagship project designed to provide sustainable income sources for marginalized and vulnerable sectors, including farmers, fisherfolk, and displaced workers.
Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude for the support, noting that the assistance will not only increase their household income but also strengthen their associations’ capacity to manage long-term livelihood ventures.
Several recipients, including former seafarers and small-scale farmers, said the project gives them hope for renewed financial stability and better opportunities for their families.
ROEL T. AMAZONA
