PALO, Leyte – Twelve establishments in Eastern Visayas received grants amounting to a total of P4,275,371.00 from the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. 8 through its Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) on September 9, 2025 at Fan’s Hotel, this town.
The awarding ceremony was led by DOLE-RO8 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Joan N. Noya-Nidua, who turned over the grants to representatives of the following enterprises:
• DJ Printing Services and Sports Apparel (Naval, Biliran)
• Francine’s Grill (Borongan City)
• Leyte: Pasar Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (Isabel, Leyte)
• Juanito Eco Farm School for Practical Agriculture (Kananga, Leyte)
• Balay Ni Tatay Farm (Babatngon, Leyte)
• Bontoc Multipurpose Cooperative (Bontoc, So. Leyte)
• Gawisan Abaca Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative (Maasin City)
• For U Leather Products (Tacloban City)
• MLS Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Shirley Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Super Jed Food Processing (Jiabong, Samar)
• Northern Samar Fishermen Cooperative (Catarman, N. Samar)
Before the awarding, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between DOLE and the representatives of the beneficiary enterprises, formalizing their participation in the program. Representing DOLE-RO8 Regional Director Atty. Dax B. Villaruel were Atty. Noya-Nidua and Atty. Cecilio I. Baleña, Med-Arbiter and DOLE-AMP Regional Focal Person.
In her message, Atty. Noya-Nidua highlighted the objective of the AMP, which is to cushion the impact of economic disruptions on local businesses and workers.
“Through this program, we aim to improve the competitiveness of our local enterprises so they remain viable and relevant amidst economic challenges,” she stated.
Also in attendance were Atty. Marie Ronette Salve Barreda-Campo, representing Board Secretary Reynaldo Soliveres of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VIII, along with the heads of DOLE-RO8 Field Offices.
The beneficiary enterprises expressed their gratitude for the assistance, noting the program’s positive impact on their operations and workforce.
“We are thankful to DOLE because finally, employers can access grants from the government through the AMP. This support will greatly boost our operations and benefit our workers,” said Dr. Floro “Junji” Camenforte, owner of Balay Ni Tatay Farm in Babatngon, Leyte.
The grants awarded were just the first batch of approved projects in the region and other interested proponents can still submit proposals to DOLE.
The AMP is one of DOLE’s key initiatives designed to mitigate the impact of economic disruptions by supporting enterprises and protecting jobs, ultimately contributing to regional and national economic recovery. (PR)
