Mati City – Fifty-one (51) workers in the informal sector received a 500,000 pesos grant from the  Department of Labor and Employment XI to finance a bamboo craft production project.

The project was conceptualized to increase the value of the existing indigenous material (bamboo) which is abundant in the locality. The association which is organized by the 28th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army includes mostly of rebel returnees.

Others expected to benefit the project are twenty-five (25) individuals which composed of suppliers of raw materials, alternative transport workers and product distributors. The project is seen to increase the association’s income by 40%, and to utilize waste materials into other commercial products.

“Ngayong nabuo kami bilang asosasyon, at nabigyan nang malaking puhunan para mapalaki pa ang aming negosyo, nakikita po namin na totoo pala ang adhikain nang gobyernong ito na mabigyan nang tsansang makabalik sa lipunan ang mga kasamahan namin, lalo na sa aming pamilya at mamumuhay na mapayapa at matamasa ang kaunlaran.”, Angel Cabanaz, Jr., President of the association stressed.

The grant given to the Calapagan Handicraft Association of Purok Mahayahay, Calapagan, Lupon, Davao Oriental was made possible through the partnership of Lupon LGU through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the 28 IB Philippine Army of Davao Oriental. (By Eduardo P. Monreal, LCO-Designate, TSSD, DOLE RO XI)

Grant Released. Angel Cabanaz, Jr., President of the Calapagan Handicraft Association receives the check in behalf of his group. Giving the check is DOLE XI ARD Jason P. Balais witnessed by DOLE Davao Oriental Field Office personnel headed by Provincial Director Rodolfo T. Castro, Jr., and the personnel of the 28^th IB, Philippine Army of Davao Oriental.