838 East Visayas informal sector workers get P8.337-M aid from DOLE in 2011

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 19, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Some 838 informal sector workers in Eastern Visayas have availed of around P8.337 million worth of livelihood assistance under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program for Workers in the Informal Economy (DILP-WIE) in 2011.

The beneficiaries from the six provinces of Region 8 received the livelihood assistance in the form of tools and equipment, production and skills training as well as upgrading to capacitate them to pursue their income-generating activities, Mr. Virgilio Doroja, DOLE Information Officer said.

A total of 337 projects were implemented with the support of 22 accredited co-partners (ACPs), Mr. Doroja added.

For Northern Leyte, among the projects implemented were Integrated Aquaculture and Bangus Cage Project at Barangay 1 of Babatngon town to enhance the livelihood of some 31 fisherfolks.

Other projects include a massage therapy and sari-sari store, a formation project for one person with disability in Burauen, Leyte; school chair and other furniture production, an enhancement project for 28 persons with disabilities in Tacloban City; and starter kit projects, namely, native delicacies making, commercial cooking and fish processing for 20 parents of child laborers in Babatngon, Leyte.

In Western Leyte, 20 bee hive farmers from Barangay Lamak, in Hilongos town received financial assistance for the establishment of bee colonies to enhance their livelihood while 37 fisherfolks from Barangay Matapay, also in Hilongos, were granted financial assistance for the establishment of deep sea fish shelter.

Informal sector workers in Southern Leyte availed a total of P2.847 million to fund 200 projects such as the enhancement of 29 members of Bacolod Women’s Health Organization root crops processing in Hinundayan town.

For displaced workers affected by typhoon in Saint Bernard town, funded were livelihood formation for displaced workers in Barangay Catmon; welding shop and allied services for 12 workers from Barangay Mahayahay; TUPARIN formation project for 43 displaced workers from Barangay Tambis; and livelihood formation for 13 displaced workers from Barangay Mahayahay.

Moreover, at Libagon town, 14 women vendors were provided 14 Nego Karts to enhance their livelihood; while at Silago town, 26 women were granted funding for the Puntana Vege-Garden Park.

In Maasin City, 48 fishermen were granted assistance for small scale project while 63 informal sector workers were provided starter kit for livelihood formation.

In Biliran province, 60 informal sector workers in Naval availed of the funding to enhance their suman production while 65 from Cabucgayan town were provided funding for enhancement of their coco-wine production.

Further, in the province of Samar, 85 informal sector workers were granted funding to enhance their individual projects while in Calbayog City 20 ambulant vendors were provided Nego Karts.

In the province of Eastern Samar, 23 members of the Busilak Women’s Association were granted funding for their Busilak Canteen and Sari-Sari store; while 42 fisherfolks from Borongan City were granted financial assistance for the acquisition of 42 fishing paddle banca with gillnet.

In the province of Northern Samar, 100 fishermen from Allen town were granted funding for small scale fishing project; 17 women from Allen were given funding for their weaving handicraft project; 25 women from Bobon town received funding for their Pinangat and Pinato Making project.