DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) -- Fisherman Johnny Casido, 42, of Baybay Alangilan, Manjuyod town used to bring his eldest son with him when he goes fishing.
A fisherman for three years, Casido struggled to feed his family and had to bring along his 13-year old son, Marlon (not his real name) to help him in his livelihood.
But with the government’s help, Casido no longer brings Marlon with him when he goes fishing after he received livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
One of the parents of profiled child laborers in Negros Oriental, Casido is one of the more than 400 beneficiaries of a livelihood grant from DOLE.
New banca
DOLE recently turned over a total of 8.7 million worth of livelihood aid to 421 beneficiaries from Manjuyod, Ayungon, La Libertad, Siaton, Basay, Sta. Catalina, Bindoy, and Tayasan, Guihulngan City, Bayawan City, Bais City, and Tanjay City in Negros Oriental.
The livelihood assistance aims to fund various projects to help the beneficiaries in their chosen venture, such as the production of chicken egg-laying, native chicken, broiler, frozen foods, ice, and feeds retailing; Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-Kart) with street food and fried chicken business; pump and paddle boat; carpentry; and pedicure and manicure services.
Casido, whose assistance allowed him to own a new banca, thanked the government for giving him the chance to provide a better life for his children as he no longer brings Marlon with him when he goes fishing.
“Dako kaayo’g tabang ang gihatag na bag-ong banca para sa akong panagat usab groceries para sa pamilya ug school supplies para sa akong mga anak (The new banca has been a big help in my livelihood, as well as in providing groceries and school supplies for my children),” Casido said.
Marlon is now back in school as he no longer goes fishing with his father.
Casido’s wife, Mirabel, helps him in selling the day’s catch, which has improved since they received the livelihood assistance from DOLE.
From what used to be 2 kilos per day, their daily catch now reaches 10-15 kilos.
More livelihood aid
Of the total assistance distributed to child labor parents, P1.5 million was turned over to 76 parents in Ayungon, P855,192 to 35 parents in Bindoy; P672, 056 to 35 parents in Manjuyod; and P1.6 million to 75 parents in Bais City.
DOLE-7 Regional Director Lilia Estillore lauded the efforts of their agency’s partners in the implementation of the said projects.
“Without our partners, it would have been more difficult for us to extend help to the beneficiaries than it already is, since most of them, if not all, can only be accessed through the help of the LGUs and other partner groups,” she said.
The projects are implemented with the help of the said local government units and the the following partners: La Libertad Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LALIMCO), Mauswagong Katawhan, Lig-on Ug Mabungahon Livelihood Association, Lico-lico Fisherman Association, Alangilanan United Fisherfolks Association, and the Alangilanan United Seaweeds.
DOLE Negros Oriental Officer-in-Charge Ma. Teresa D. Tanquaimco said preparations are now being done for more livelihood grant releases.
She highlighted the importance of cooperation in providing the beneficiaries with basic trainings to help them develop their capacities and increase their business potentials for long-term success.
The livelihood grant is released through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) under the DOLE Kabuhayan Para sa Magulang ng Batang Manggagawa (KASAMA) Program. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
