P35 M released by DOLE -7 to aid quake, typhoon victims

CEBU, Philippines -  The Department of Labor and Employment-7 has utilized 26 percent of its annual budget allocated for the livelihood assistance for the region to aid the displaced workers and victims of natural calamities.

The department has a budget of P218 million for livelihood assistance that includes the bottom-up budget of  the agency for Central Visayas which also has a separate P20 million budget for emergency labor.

“Nakaingon mi nga daghan pa og kwarta pero dali raman mahurot, in fact scarcity na, pahurot na. We were encouraging the people to avail of our livelihood assistance. We still have few million peso balance even addressing the displaced workers, victims of natural calamities,”  DOLE-7 Regional Director Chona Mantilla said.

Of  the P218 million, Mantilla explained that they have utilized more than P35 million for livelihood assistance, including the budget allocated for relief goods distributed to displaced workers and families in Bohol and northern Cebu.

In Bohol, there were 2,000 beneficiaries of the emergency employment of  the DOLE-7 that provided a minimum wage for 15 days. In northern Cebu, 3,000 also benefited of the employment program.

Further, Mantilla said they have allocated livelihood assistance for the fire victims in Cebu.

“Kaingon mi og daghan kaayo mi og pondo pero sa kadaghan nga nag-avail ug sa kadaghan pud nga nasunogan, but we prioritize the three, Lorega and the others,” she said.

Mantilla was asked if DOLE would also give assistance to victims in Monday night’s fire in Bakilid, Mandaue City that destroyed many houses. But Mantilla said that their office would not commit yet.

“Dili kita mo-commit kay hurot-hurot na ang atong pondo. Because we allocate this not only in Cebu, but naa man sad ang Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Northern Cebu Province and Cebu City,” she added.

Also, the DOLE-7 would be assisting others sectors such as the fisherfolks, farmers, women workers, and unemployed youth, to avail of their livelihood programs.

Last year, 30,000 beneficiaries availed of the P42 million budget of  DOLE-7 for livelihood assistance. (FREEMAN)