CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture-7 yesterday released P2 million to finance livelihood projects in the municipalities of Daanbantayan and Bogo.
The release was made possible through the initiative of Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon who allocated the amount from his Priority Development Assistance Fund through DA-7 regional executive director Ricardo Oblena.
Salimbangon turned over a check worth P1 million to Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura and his mother Vice Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot.
According to Oblena, the money will serve as initial fund for the residents in Daanbantayan who will venture into the hog-raising business.
Oblena said that the municipal government of Daanbantayan has been given the task to implement the project and determine the beneficiary.
In Bogo, Malingin village chief Marilyn Calibkib accepted the other P1 million for the livelihood projects in her barangay.
Oblena and Salimbangon handed the check to her. According to Calibkib, they already received projects with a total of over P3 million.
Meanwhile, residents of Medellin and its neighboring towns have found employment opportunities overseas and also at the various companies operating inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City.
This after most of them availed of the skills training program of the municipal government of Medellin in coordination with the Office of Rep. Salimbangon and of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority for them to be able to seek alternative livelihood to fishing and working at sugarcane plantations they have mostly grown dependent on for quite a long time.
Medellin Mayor Ricardo “Ricky” Ramirez told THE FREEMAN that a number of women underwent training in dressmaking while others trained on welding.
Welders are in demand especially in shipbuilding facilities like the Tsuneishi Shipyard in Balamban, as well as abroad.
“Sa pagkakaron nakita nato nga dako na kaayo og kausaban ang panahon. Angayan na nga mangita og laing panginabuhian ang mga molupyo sa lungsod ilabi na gyod ang mga batan-on,” he said. — Jose P. Sollano/MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)