By Annabelle J. Petinglay
ILOILO CITY, Oct. 29 (PNA) — Department of Labor and Employment Sec. Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz handed over 98 checks in the total amount of P36,605,536 to various proponents of livelihood projects in Western Visayas.
The distribution of checks was done during the Reorientation on DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) Guidelines at Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center in Iloilo City, Wednesday.
Baldoz said the checks released are under the approved project proposals submitted to DOLE to improve the proponents’ economies of scale through community-based enterprises.
Of the total, 58 checks in the amount of P17,497,689 were turned over to 54 proponents from the province of Iloilo while 12 checks worth P8,218,986 were handed over to 11 proponents from Negros Occidental.
Eight checks amounting to P4,997,139 were released to six proponents from Aklan province, while P3,635,550 worth of livelihood assistance were released to 17 proponents from Capiz.
Three proponents from Guimaras province received checks amounting P2,256,171 for various livelihood projects in support of the Pier to Port or P2P project implementation.
Iloilo province’s 58 livelihood endeavors consist mostly of projects under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan Sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged (TUPAD) program intended for the reconstruction of public utilities and infrastructures of proponent local government units in northern Iloilo severely affected by typhoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) last year. These projects will benefit 3,089 unemployed, out of school youths and differently-abled persons who will be hired as workers to undertake the projects.
Three projects under the Kabuhayan program in Guimaras include native bag production and marketing, saba banana production and processing, and seaweed processing project aimed to benefit 575 local residents.
Assistance for Negros Occidental and Capiz will mostly go to the rehabilitation of public utilities under the Yolanda Rehabilitation and Recovery Program where 3,264 unemployed and displaced workers will be given emergency employment.
Livelihood assistance released for Aklan will benefit 710 unemployed workers and marginalized fisherfolks. Projects assisted are capture fishing and aquaculture, oysters, fish cage and mud crab fattening and emergency employment. (PNA)