Tagum City — Persons with disability (PWD) and Indigenous People (IP) are among the ten organizations expected to benefit from multimillion worth of livelihood grant from a government agency.

Through the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting (GPB) allocation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Tagum City was granted a total of P2,260,520 worth of livelihood projects.

The grant will fund the Computer and Cellphone Repair shop cum training for Tagum City Association of PWDs; Arts and crafts skills training cum livelihood for the IPs; Meat Processing cum skills training for the 4H Club of Brgy. Busaon;  Motorcycle Repair Shop and Spare Parts supply for TAFETRASCO tricycle drivers and Dressmaking Project Livelihood cum training for their housewives.

Grain Center (Bigasan ng Bayan) will also be established for Tagum City Urban Poor, Inc.;  General merchandise and catering services for Magugpo West  Women organization; Catering services cum training for 4H Club of Visayan Village; and Coconut shell beads and button production for Tagum City Coconut farmers Association.

“We continue to support the informal sectors as they are vital segment that fuels the local economy,” said DOLE regional director Joffrey M. Suyao.

“Being demand-driven in nature, these projects have been identified by the beneficiaries themselves and we have always emphasized on their (beneficiaries) ownership of the project to hopefully ensure sustainability of the projects,” Suayo added.

Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon for his part encouraged the beneficiaries to make sure the projects grow and prosper.

“Let’s take care of these projects, to prove our worth and doing such we can be assured that there will be more projects to come not only from DOLE but also from other agencies,” Rellon said during the turnover ceremony  held recently in Tagum Trade center.

Rellon’s flagship program dubbed as  EAGLE WINGS has identified livelihood as a priority agenda. Tagum City local government put up a total of 20% counterpart for the entire amount.

EAGLE WINGS stands for education, employment and culture; agriculture and fishery; genuine peace, safety and security; livelihood and tourism; economy and affordability of taxes; wellness and health; infrastructure, transportation and communication; NGO, GO and Co-op convergence; good governance; and Social services.

“Aside from the livelihood projects, all beneficiaries were also provided accident insurance amounting to P99,480,” Suyao said.

Providing insurance is part of the DOLE’s commitment protect the vulnerable segment of society particularly the informal sectors, the agency commitment to the international Labor Organization.

Sherwin B. Manual/DOLE11