37 beneficiaries get free livelihood equipment

ORMOC CITY, Philippines — The United Nations Development Programme had distributed free equipment to 37 Yolanda victims in this city for their livelihood undertaking.

The free equipment included sewing machines, welding machines, refrigerators, sterilizers, freezers, rice cookers and stoves, among others, depending on the kind of enterprise a particular beneficiary would be engaged in.

Dario Cubelo, UNDP Ormoc-Hub coordinator, explained during the turnover ceremony last March 26 that the beneficiaries from the city’s 110 barangays were selected via surveys and assessment to determine who would qualify for the micro enterprise asset provision program.

“With these livelihood tools, providing opportunity for others to earn a living is very possible,” said Cubelo.

Carmela Belonio, UNDP project officer, told The Freeman the selected beneficiaries were trained in bookkeeping or handling book of accounts before they were given the equipment.

“This is to ensure that they will have the necessary knowledge to guide them in their enterprise,” she added.

City Administrator Francis Pepito, who represented Mayor Edward Codilla for the turnover rites, advised the beneficiaries to properly handle the free equipment.

“UNDP has been good to us. We should not fail them,” said Pepito, while citing the numerous assistance that UNDP had given to Ormoc. He added that UNDP will also construct soon a modern evacuation center.

Last month, UNDP also distributed similar free equipment to beneficiaries in Naval town of Biliran.  (FREEMAN)