VIGAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PNA) — Some P1.3 million in livelihood assistance was granted to 158 residents of Ilocos Sur by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office in a bid to create livelihood opportunities and spur economic actitivities in the countryside.
Recipients of the grants were 75 ambulant vendors and 83 returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), said DOLE 1 Regional Director Grace Ursua.
At least P449,975 worth of livelihood assistance was given to Magsingal town for 30 ambulant vendors; Galimuyod received P374,375 for 25 ambulant vendors while San Vicente was given P300,000 for 20 ambulant vendors.
The three municipalities, however, put up financial counterparts amounting to P327,565 which was spent for business permits and tools of the recipients and their snacks when they underwent training,” Ursua said.
DOLE also turned over a total of P259,208 worth of income support to the Tignay OFW Association comprising of 83 OFW returnee-members of San Vicente town.
“We gave the assistance with a challenge that the recipients should manage responsibly the assistance not only to improve their family’s economic conditions, but to become the government’s active partners in creating employment opportunities and spurring growth in their locality,” she said.
She disclosed that the assistance given to the OFW returnees was in the form of equipment and grocery items for the association’s mini-grocery project.
Restituta Riotoc, the association president, said “As our part, we commit to work together harmoniously to make the project successful.”
Ursua said self-employment undertakings are viable strategies to enable OFW returnees to stay in the country, be with their families and take active part in establishing and expanding micro, small and medium enterprises.
Ursua said DOLE protects and promotes the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families through the provision of social, economic and legal programs and services in pursuit of President Aquino III’s economic vision of “a government that creates jobs. (PNA)