CLAVERIA, MISAMIS ORIENTAL — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-X) turned over a total of P17,949,180 worth of projects to boost the economic status of 822 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) from the town of Claveria, Misamis Oriental.
The official turnover occurred at the launch of Project ALIMA (Assistance to Lumads through Interventions from Multiple Agencies) in Barangays Mat-i and Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, led by DOLE Undersecretary Atty. Felipe N. Egargo, Jr. This project falls under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Project (DILP).
Project ALIMA includes P2,000,000 for Consumer Store projects, employing 35 beneficiaries in each Barangay of Lanise and Mat-i.
The official turnover also featured P2,670,720 in stipends for 52 interns under the Government Internship Program (GIP) and P5,806,360 in wages for 300 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program—distributed as P2,670,720 to Barangay Lanise and P7,472,100 to Barangay Mat-i. These areas serve as pilot barangays for the DOLE programs.
“Kami po sa Kagawaran ng Paggawa at Empleyo ay lumalapit sa inyong mga kapatid naming lumad para ang mga programa at serbisyo ay ibababa namin sa inyo. Kami na mismo ang bababa para maibigay sa inyo ang nararapat na edukasyon at livelihood para maumpisahan ninyo ang sustainable livelihood program,” Undersecretary Egargo said.
Moreover, Egargo said the department is more than willing to assist through the necessary programs to enhance the economic growth of the IPs in the province. The department aims to provide adequate education and livelihood for families to sustain their daily needs and help in community stability.
Likewise, DOLE-X Regional Director Atty. Erwin N. Aquino said Misamis Oriental is the first province in the entire country to receive three programs for the same beneficiaries.
Aquino said that the programs include both agricultural training and educational support.
He added that the GIP interns would serve as educators to the IPs to impart their knowledge and skills to the lumads in the province. Likewise, the Consumer Stores will serve as their sustainable livelihood and augment their income.
Nancy Borres, one of the lumad beneficiaries in Sitio Macupa, Barangay Lanise, called Bae Borres of their tribe, was grateful for the assistance.
“Sa tinuod lang, wala gyud ko nag-expect nga maabot ni nga chance sa amo ug mahimo mi nga isa sa mga beneficiaries ani nga livelihood. Dako kaayo among kalipay nga niabot ni sa amo,” she said.
(Honestly, I did not expect we would have a chance to be one of the livelihood beneficiaries. We are overwhelmed the government granted these.)
“Dako kaayo mi ug pasalamat kay Secretary Benny Laguesma ug dili gyud mabayran ang among kalipay nga tungod kay naka-avail mi ug usa mi sa mga beneficiaries sa livelihood sa DOLE nga worth P1 million. To Sir Bienvenido Laguesma, Sir, daghan kaayong salamat sa imong pagtabang kanamo,” Borres said.
(We are very grateful to Secretary Benny Laguesma. The joy we felt upon receiving P1 million in livelihood projects is beyond measure.)
During the launching, highlights include the simultaneous tribal rituals performed by the Higaonon tribes of Lanise and Mat-i. (DOLE-Region X/PIA-10/Misamis Oriental)
