BY: HAZEL F. GLORIA
CEBU CITY, March 13 (PIA) --- The
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) in Central Visayas allocated P7.32M
funds for the emergency employment and skills training for livelihood support
to Yolanda victims in northern Cebu.
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DOLE-7 Chief of the Technical Support
Services for Employment and Workers Welfare, Nancy Abad bared around 1,651
Yolanda victims have benefitted from their emergency employment program in the
typhoon-hit areas.
In a Press Briefing on Post-Yolanda Rehabilitation
today at the Public Information Office of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-
Central Command in Camp Lapulapu, Cebu City Abad said the emergency
employment or Cash for Work Program is a short-term solution that provides
livelihood support to disaster-stricken families in dire financial need and
help them recover from their difficult situation, said Abad during the
Abad explained the Cash for Work
Program is good only for 15 days where recipients are paid to work on the
clearing of debris, construction of houses and road repairs among others. They
are paid on a daily minimum wage which differs per area depending on the town
classification.
“Part of the funding is also for skills
training for typhoon victims,” said Abad adding that DOLE-7 partners with the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in those areas.
TESDA will conduct the skills training
for 15-days that includes masonry, carpentry, electrical and plumbing, said
Abad.
These typhoon survivors are then hired
to build the houses or any construction-related undertaking that maximize their
trained skills, Abad added.
According to Abad, DOLE-7 also released
P16M for the emergency employment program for typhoon victims in Bohol.
Yolanda victims can also avail of the DOLE-7’s
Integrated Livelihood Program where they can access financial assistance to
start their own small business, disclosed Abad.
Abad said the Integrated Livelihood Program is
a regular program of DOLE-7 where financial aid is extended at an average of
P10,000 capital to jump start a small business.
“But the financial assistance can only
be granted depending on the soundness of the business proposal submitted by the
individual,” said Abad adding that those interested must also have at least 20
percent equity as a counterpart funding.
Last year, the DOLE-7 released some P14 million in Cebu alone for
its Integrated Livelihood Program. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7)