TACLOBAN CITY -- Over 2,000 workers from Ormoc City benefitted from the P12,144,250 worth of livelihood and emergency employment assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) awarded on February 19 at the Ormoc Superdome.
Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III graced the activity and personally led the awarding of livelihood funds amounting to P3,000,000 for the motorized banca and fishing gear projects of 100 beneficiaries. A livelihood check amounting P2,880,000 was likewise awarded for the Negokart Projects of some 96 beneficiaries.
The labor chief likewise took part in the payout of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) wages of 1,849 workers amounting to P6,009,250. Each worker received P3,250 for the 10-day work rendered.
Meanwhile, some 34 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and OFW-dependents also received livelihood grants with a total amount of P255,000 under OWWA’s program namely, Tulong Puso, Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay, and Educational Livelihood Assistance Program.
Leyte 4th District Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez and Mayor Richard I. Gomez thanked Secretary Bello and the entire DOLE team composed of Usec. Renato L. Ebarle, Usec. Benjosantos M. Benavidez, OWWA Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, DOLE-NCR Director Sarah Buena S. Mirasol, and DOLE-BWSC Director Ma. Karina P. Trayvilla.
Sec. Bello in his message expressed untiring support and commitment to extend assistance as needed by the workers not just in Ormoc but the whole of Region 8.
“I assure you that the DOLE programs will continue to help our needy workers, tuloy-tuloy lang po ang ating serbisyong TUPAD,” said Sec. Bello.
Also present during the activity were Regional Director Henry John S. Jalbuena, DOLE-West Leyte Field Office Head Edgar Tabuyan, and DOLE-Technical Support Services Division Head Norman L. Uyvico. (Norma Rae S. Costimiano/DOLE-8)