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Siquijor - DOLE assists provincial organizations

DOLE extends P.580-M to Siquijor organizations

2008/10/23

PIA Press Release

By Rizalie A. Calibo

Province of Siquijor (23 October) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here released Tuesday a total of P580,789 in livelihood grants to seven associations under the informal sectors in Siquijor province.

The checks, released through the four Accredited Co-Partners (ACPs), forms part of the DOLE's program that seeks to provide financial and technical assistance to livelihood organizations to improve the income of the members which would redound to their family's development.

A check amounting to P248,000 was released to Larena LGU for the four associations namely Candle Makers Association of Ponong and Candigum, P29 T each, Basac Women's Association, P100 T for its squash pancit canton project, and Cang-Allas Women's Association, P90 T for its Banana Catsup project.

Another check of P182,789 was released through the the Kababayehan Alang sa Pagpalambo sa Nasudnong Industriya sa Gatas (KAPANIG) Multi-Purpose Cooperative, P162,789 of which is for packaging of additional milk products and P20 T for the handmade paper production of the Timabon, Catulayan, Cangmaonag Association of Differently-Abled Persons (TICCADAP).

The Siquijor Women's Association for A Better Environment (SWABE) also got a share of P50T for the packaging of its Siquijor Mystique Tea product while the Matinabangon Women's Association through ACP - Santa Barbara Katilingbanong Credit Cooperative (SBKCC) got P100T for the enhancement of catering/restaurant services.

The turnover of checks was done by DOLE-Siquijor Provincial Officer Tess Tanquiamco with partner from DOLE Dumaguete, Vivencio Lagahid. It was made following the Orientation on Rationalized DOLE Livelihood Programs to Assisted ACPs at the Guiwanon Spring Park Resort, Luyang, Siquijor, Siquijor with the presence Municipal Mayors Richard Quezon of Siquijor town, Gold Calibo of Larena, Rebecca Padayhag of Maria, Edwin Quimno of San Juan, and Ellery Clint Orquillas of Enrique Villanueva.

The municipal mayors expressed elation for the assistance as they asked the beneficiaries to use the amount to really improve their project.

Mayor Quezon, in his message said he is very thankful of the project and other government interventions that hopefully turn people to be self-reliant.

The DOLE's projects, centered mostly on livelihood enhancement are geared towards empowering those in the informal sector by providing them gainful employment.

Lagahid also said the department has created the Unlad Kabuhayan Program Laban sa Kahirapan or DOLE Worktrep Program to support the Macapagal-Arroyo Administration's thrust of alleviating poverty through micro-entrepreneurial activity. He said the program is intended to bring about improved income and socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal sector through viable and sustainable businesses or micro-enterprises.

Workers employed in the informal economy includes those from the urban poor, youths, differently-abled persons, indigenous people, and displaced workers, among others. (PIA)