The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday distributed more than PHP113 million in livelihood grants and financial assistance to hundreds of beneficiaries in Negros Oriental, underscoring the government’s commitment to employment generation and sustainable livelihood development.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino led the turnover ceremony at the DOLE-Negros Island Region (NIR) office in Barangay Bajumpandan in this capital.

Speaking before beneficiaries and local officials, Tolentino described the newly established NIR as “a region of promise,” saying it reflects the collective aspirations of its people.

“I look at NIR as a fulfillment of the collective desire of the people here to have their voices and aspirations honed and developed in accordance with their wishes,” he said.

Tolentino also emphasized the importance of building a strong and efficient regional office for DOLE.

“We will build, brick by brick, a new structure for the DOLE regional office in Dumaguete — not with cement and stone, but I am referring to character, integrity and efficiency,” he added.

Among the assistance released was PHP7.4 million under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), benefiting 174 recipients through the Danawan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association (DABA), the program’s accredited co-partner.

The livelihood projects include a fertilizer and feeds enterprise for DABA, a rice and corn milling project for the Matinabangon Farmers’ Association, and a rice trading and agrivet supply venture for the Manalongon Livelihood Association.

The grant also supported individual livelihood projects for 19 parents and guardians of child laborers, including carpentry services, goat and hog raising, livestock farm inputs, and vegetable production.

Meanwhile, four beneficiaries received livelihood starter kits worth nearly PHP160,000 through the Maigsing Tagpo Farmers Association. The recipients were Josefa Abella for rice retailing, Anthony Ian Cajocon and Edgar Tolentino for small retail stores, and Catalino Ferrer for a rice and agrivet retail business.

The DOLE likewise released checks to accredited co-partners for the implementation of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Metro Dumaguete College received more than PHP57 million to provide temporary employment to 6,758 beneficiaries in Negros Oriental’s Second District and Siquijor province.

The Zamboanguita Small Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative was awarded over PHP48 million for 5,892 TUPAD beneficiaries in the province’s First and Third congressional districts.

As part of the activity, the DOLE conducted a TUPAD orientation for 200 beneficiaries from Dumaguete City under Metro Dumaguete College. Participants will work for 15 days and receive PHP8,250 each.

The temporary employment project covers the construction and rehabilitation of pedestrian pathways, minor repairs and maintenance of public facilities, and vegetation clearing and trimming along roads and public spaces to improve accessibility, public safety, and environmental cleanliness.

Additionally, the Christian Advocates for Justice and Development in Negros Inc. received over PHP 60 million for 7,297 beneficiaries in Negros Occidental. (PNA)