CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Northern Mindanao regional offices of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) organized a financial literacy seminar for beneficiaries of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) on 6 February 2024 at the DOLE-X Regional Office, this city.

The activity, dubbed “SLF: Strengthening Livelihood and Finances,” oriented some 80 DILP beneficiaries on the processes of registering businesses, incorporating enterprises, and declaring taxes, and on the advantages of transitioning to the formal economy. This seminar is part of the DILP’s capability-building component with a focus on proper resource management of awarded livelihood projects.

NEDA-X Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño underscored the importance of honing the financial management skills of beneficiaries for poverty alleviation. She also stressed that the activity brings the government closer to the people through accessible programs and services.

Resource speakers included Kimberly Andot of the Department of Trade and Industry-X, Neil Maynard Conde of the Securities and Exchange Commission-Cagayan de Oro Extension Office, Atty. Emman Carl Rubin, Vanessa Lou Sugue, Jolieza Uy of the Bureau of Internal Revenue-Revenue Region 16, and Peter Randy Gaquit of the DOLE-X.

Under Republic Act No. 10922 or the Economic and Financial Literacy Act, the NEDA is tasked to facilitate the preparation of activities for the celebration of the Economic and Financial Literacy Week, held in November of every year. The SLF is part of the year-round slate of activities. (NEDA-X/PIA-10)