P17-M livelihood assistance for WV workers
With the aim to assist disadvantaged workers who opt to engage in entrepreneurial undertakings as their source of income, the Department of Labor and Employment 6(DOLE 6)has already released more than P17 million for livelihood projects expecting to benefit 4,491 workers in Western Visayas.
DOLE 6 reported that from January to September 2009, it has released more than P17-million to fund the livelihood projects of workers in the region under its Capacity-Building for Livelihood Enhancement, Livelihood Formation and Livelihood Restoration Programs.
In its press report, DOLE 6 said that out of the 44 projects, the province of Iloilo has 18, Negros Occidental 7, Antique and Capiz with 6 each, Guimaras and Aklan with 4 each.
Identified beneficiaries of the programs are workers in the formal and informal economy that include farmers, fisher folk, unemployed women, carpenters, persons with disabilities, parents of child laborers, vendors, tricycle drivers, teachers, and employees, among others.
According to DOLE 6 around 39 livelihood projects went to the informal sector getting about 87 percent of the total amount released or equivalent to P14.8 million.
On the other hand, 5 livelihood projects went to the formal sector with a funding assistance of P2.4 million or about 13 percent of the total amount released.
“The assistance would help enhance the workers existing livelihood, restore their lost livelihood due to calamities, and enable them to form their livelihood undertakings aimed at increasing the families’ income,” said DOLE 6 Director Aida M. Estabillo in the press report. (PIA)
