A TOTAL of P1.9 million worth of livelihood assistance was extended by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Region to victims of various calamities experienced in the region in 2019.
In a press conference, Thursday, DTI Davao regional director Maria Belenda Ambi bared that out of P1.9 million, 1.2 million worth of livelihood were distributed to calamity victims in Davao City and the earthquake-stricken communities in Davao Del Sur under the Livelihood Seeding Program.
DTI-Davao City director Rachel Remitio said a total of P850,000 worth of livelihood assistance were given to 121 beneficiaries in Brgy. Ilang in Tibunco, Agdao, Bunawan, Brgy. 22-C, Brgy. 23-C, Brgy. Punta Dumalag in Matina, Brgy. Sto Niño in Tugbok District, S.I.R Matina, and Lower Madapo Hills in Poblacion.
“Our assistances are in the form of entrepreneurial seminars and livelihood kit distribution. The livelihood kits came in the form of sari-sari store package, egg retailing, rice retailing, depending on the profile that we get from the CSSDO (City Social Services and Development Office),” she said.
Meanwhile, DTI-Davao del Sur provincial director Delia M. Ayano said P250,000 were allotted for 45 beneficiaries in the municipality of Magsaysay while they are processing the assistance for Bansalan and Matanao.
Ayano said each beneficiary were given P5,000 worth of sari-sari store package.
Aside from the communities affected by disasters, other beneficiaries also include former rebels.
However, Ambi admitted there is no particular budget intended for such purpose. She said the funding was taken from the budget from other programs of the agency such as the Negosyo Center.
“Naa gipangtanggal nga mga activities para naay mahatag sa livelihood seeding program (Some of activities were compromised so there will be a fund for the livelihood seeding program),” she said.
“Dapat naa gyud siya allocation nga separate next year, gusto namo mabutang na siya (There should be a separate allocation for the program. It should be included in next year’s budget),” Ambi added. (RAG)