Few weeks into the year, several groups of beneficiaries in Davao de Oro received an aggregate sum of Php 27,205,661.00 for various projects under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) through the Department of Labor and Employment XI-Davao de Oro Field Office (DOLE XI-DOrFO).
Led by DOLE XI-DorFO Provincial Head Neil Allan R. Baban, the Office turned over ten (10) units of motorized banca to 43 beneficiaries of Small Water Impounding Project Beneficiaries Farmers’ Association (SWIP-1 BFA) on January 16, 2023. Said assistance will serve as extra source of income of the identified beneficiaries which will also support the developing eco-tourism activity in Tuyawan Eco-Aqua Park in Brgy. Magsaysay, Nabunturan, Davao de Oro. The project was in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office XI and the Local Government Unit of Nabunturan.
On January 19, 2023, a total of Php 20,850,566.00 was awarded to four (4) DOLE XI Accredited Co-Partners (ACPs) namely the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Compostela, BAPAPWOCO Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Northskilled Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, and Pag-asa Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative. Of the total 4,646 beneficiaries, mostly were farmers whose livelihood was greatly impacted by the banana fusarium wilt disease. To mitigate the effects, DOLE XI offered the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program wherein beneficiaries will have to render community works for 10-15 days and will be paid P443.00 a day. The checks were awarded by DOLE XI Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy and were received by LGU Compostela Mayor Levi S. Ebdao and chairpersons of abovementioned cooperatives.
In like manner, the Municipality of Mabini received Php4,993,595.00 through Mayor Emerson L. Luego on January 20, 2023, to assist 1,113 TUPAD beneficiaries whose livelihood were also affected by the banana panama disease. Meanwhile, a total of Php1,000,000.00 worth of food cart livelihood project was awarded to 33 beneficiaries in the same municipality through Public Employment Services Office (PESO) Manager Edwin Rey A. Carmelotes.
RD Atty. Pensoy mentioned in one of messages that among the top considerations in providing livelihood assistance is the potential of such project to uplift the economic conditions of individuals and communities. “DOLE provides a wide array of livelihood programs and services. And through stronger linkages and constant social relations, we are working toward identifying specified interventions that need to be delivered to the people of Davao Region, as well as in providing necessary improvements and benefits,” he added.### MFKM/ECV
