DOLE BATANGAS PROVIDES LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS, FORMER CADPI EMPLOYEES IN CALATAGAN

A total of 35 farmers under the Calatagan Corn Farmers Association  (CCFA) and 15 displaced workers of a sugarcane milling company, received livelihood assistance through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) during a ceremonial release held at Barangay Carretonan, Calatagan, Batangas, on February 27.

Ms. Salvacion Kalalo and Mr. Darius Allan Lubis of the DOLE IV-A - Batangas Provincial Office spearheaded the program with the Livelihood Development Specialists who will also conduct the monitoring of the projects moving forward.

Ms. Salvacion Kalalo oriented the beneficiaries about their roles and responsibilities moving forward. (Photo by Leomar De Torres)

"Ang mga kagamitang ito ay tulong upang mapaunlad Lalo ang pangkabuhayan na nasimulan nyo...Ang tanging hiling lang namin ay pag tulutulungan ang paglago nito upang mas madami pang matulungan sa lugar niyo na kagaya nyo nangangailangan ng tulong," Ms. Kalalo remarked.

With utmost appreciation, Mr. Antonio Rivera, President of CCFA, expressed the organization's gratitude for the support of the DOLE in their transition process from sugarcane to corn farming after the closure of Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc.

"Malaking tulong po ito sa farmers dito sa Calatagan sa pag tatanim ng mais kasi ang talagang napaka hirap dito ay yung tao na ma-i-hi-hire para mag trabaho sa field. Yung problema ay mechanization kaya napakagandang programa nga na nabigyan kami ng makina para makatulong doon sa problema namin sa mga pag-ha-hire ng tao at saka 'yung sa bilis ng pag-aani at pagtatanim dahil gamit ang mga farm equipment na ibinigay," he said.

Mr. Rivera shared his appreciation for the Department’s actions to aid their just transition to corn farming. (Photo by Leomar De Torres. (Photo by Leomar De Torres)

Aside from the CCFA, another organization, the National Congress of Union in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines (NACUSIP), also received a provision of tools and equipment for a car repair shop during the ceremony.

"Unang una gusto kong magpasalamat sa pamunuan ng DOLE at sa mga taong naririto at least nai-provide itong mga equipment namin na napakalaking tulong sa aming pagtatalyer.

Maraming maraming salamat at ito'y pagyayabungin namin ng abot ng aming makakaya. Makakaasa kayo na pwede n'yong silipin ito, any moment pwede nyong bisitahin," Mr. Joar Bragado, President of NACUSIP vowed.

Beneficiaries received car shop tools and equipment during a release ceremony at Calatagan, Batangas.

Through the DOLE livelihood program, more workers and organizations are receiving assistance with the ultimate goal of either forming, enhancing, or restoring the livelihood projects of the beneficiaries.