The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sign yesterday in Quezon City a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the convergence program dubbed as Reconstruction Assistance for Yolanda (RAY).

RAY forges the mutual commitment of promoting livelihood and employment opportunities especially to those affected by calamities across the country particularly those affected by typhoon Yolanda. The Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Trade and Industry (DTI) are also part of the convergence program.

DA will provide the roadmap of agribusiness and raw materials and DTI for the market data respectively.

“Our vision is that after a month this memorandum signing, we would have readied livelihood projects as a result of the convergence workshops of our respective regional offices from both agencies,” DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz said.

RAY which will focus in technology driven, climate resilient, resource based and sustainable livelihood will be implemented over a three-year program from 2014-2016.

“The convergence is expected to benefit 100 thousand poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers and those displaced by natural and man-made calamities,” Baldos said.

Science and technology secretary Mario G. Montejo on the other hand said that his department has already development technologies and innovations that could add value to the local available resources in many rural areas.

“We want to harness the locally available resources in the countryside by providing the appropriate technology to create value and link them to the right market,” Montejo said.

“We shall put up these livelihoods and technology innovations where there is likely less impact on  impact for.. as preparation of of our daily life in the country,” Baldoz said.

“At the end, we hope to create resilient and sustainable communities with decent employment and livelihood under a livable environment, through technology and innovation,” said Baldoz.