The Department of Labor and Employment-Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) in Negros Oriental has awarded PHP1.5 million in livelihood grants to a fishermen’s association and 35 individuals from marginalized sectors.

Rubie Cempron, DILP focal person, said Tuesday that the beneficiaries include the Alangilanan United Fisherfolk’s Association (AUFA) in Barangay Alangilanan, Manjuyo and individual recipients, such as parents of child laborers, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and micro-entrepreneurs.

The grant supports AUFA’s proposed fish cage project, locally known as “bunsod,” which will be inspected on Wednesday, Cempron said.

Meanwhile, livelihood kits for the individual beneficiaries, already procured, will be distributed later this week after final inspection.

Cempron said the 35 individual beneficiaries include 18 parents of child laborers, 10 micro-entrepreneurs and seven PDLs from different parts of the province.

Their livelihood projects are tailored to their skills and include initiatives such as native sweets production, canvas printing, rice and agri-vet retailing, hog fattening, rice operations, neighborhood sundry stores, taho (sweet silken tofu) production, egg-laying ventures, and candle making.

The DILP empowers marginalized groups through sustainable livelihood opportunities. (PNA)