DOLE releases P1.5 million for anti-poverty project

CEBU, Philippines – The regional office of the Department of Labor and Employment marked its 77th anniversary by releasing P1.5 million worth of anti-poverty fund last Wednesday.

DOLE-7 director Elias Cayanong said the fund was intended to help the poor through the program called Capacity Building for Livelihood Formation.

"The 12 projects will assist 645 beneficiaries in Central Visayas start a life of renewed spirit and dignity and we focused our enormous efforts and resources in preparing these beneficiaries cope with the current socio-economic situation in the region," Cayanong said.

"We are not good at starting projects without follow-through. We maintain our stand that projects should be guided and assessed to best achieve a better result, better life for beneficiaries, following the path to poverty free tomorrow," he explained.

The assistance will establish micro-enterprises that will help beneficiaries increase their income. In Catarman, Cordova, for example, the Catarman Integrated Livelihood Project's investment grown to P160,000, helping 112 fishing folks.

Clarita Menguita, a fish vendor and member of Catarman Fisherfolks Association, said she is thankful to the anti-poverty program.

She said if it's not for the fund, nobody will visit, train and prepare them to the path of a poverty-free community.

There would be more projects to be implemented in Cebu and Negros Oriental. The month-long celebration started with the planting of 77 trees at the South Reclamation Project.

"With a theme: "Tuwid na Daan para sa Tapat na SErbisyo", we offer our services in realizing the overarching goal of the President's 22-Point Laboe and Employment Agenda of investing in our country's top resource, our human resource," Cayanong said.

Last Monday, DOLE-7 also assisted the installation of the Voluntary Code of Good Practices with the labor and management groups in Metro Cebu at the Sarosa Hotel.

The event was attended by representatives from different industries from educational institutions, business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, hotels and restaurants, and the tourism sector.

Each industry was given freedom to create an agreement with regards to working condition and disputes within the establishment.

Cayanong said the idea of free agreement among employer and employees was welcomed by the concerned industries.

He said the management and the labor force may now sit down and consult each other to resolve whatever problems they may have.

DOLE Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said he was pleased with the news that tripartism in Central Visayas, particularly in Metro Cebu, is still alive.

"Because Central Visayas particularly here in Metro Cebu has the high quality resources of human labor, it is no doubt that the region is one of the top most in the investor's list for their investment. I believed Cebu is a business hub in the country," said Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz. (FREEMAN)