DOLE: Gov’t livelihood recipients need guidance

CEBU, Philippines - If the goal is to help government’s livelihood beneficiaries grow financially, it is not enough to just give them money. But it is crucial to teach them how to manage it, a labor official said.

Department of Labor and Employment-7 Director Exequiel Sarcauga said recipients of government’s livelihood programs have to create business growth and be competitive.

“What happens most often is that the financial assistance ends up not being invested properly,” the official said in a statement. “It is simply because the beneficiaries are not aware how to manage it. They don’t have any idea how to take care of and sustain the business they've started.”

These people have to be trained on important skills and right practices in handling money and an enterprise.

“This will help them appreciate and value the financial assistance given by government,” he said.

In an earlier interview, Jennifer Quimno, sustainable livelihood project coordinator of the social welfare agency in Central Visayas, also raised the idea that not all beneficiaries are the same.

There are those who see the need to invest for their long-term development. While others spend the "just enough" money for their short-term financial needs.

TRAINING

Meanwhile, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-7 also announced it would teach DOLE’s livelihood beneficiaries in Dalaguete, Cebu on productivity on March 20. The training will talk on business management, financial management, bookkeeping, etc.

The board will train the labor agency’s recipients of livelihood grants released on December 8 last year.

The agency released more than P10.5 million to identified beneficiaries in towns of Borbon, Catmon, Bogo and Dalaguete. The money has been expected to be invested in agribusiness ventures.

The board said it wants aid beneficiaries to be not only productive but also competitive in the marketplace. — Carlo S. Lorenciana (FREEMAN)