BOHOL stands to get additional funding for livelihood next year from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) said the additional funds came after DOLE Region 7 records revealed that the earlier tranches showed quick utilization among farmers, fishermen and women in his district who were organized into associations and underwent training.
Aumentado tapped his livelihood consultant Antonieto Pernia to effect the formal organization into groups for them to qualify for the trainings in various areas of livelihood.
The solon said the alternative sources of livelihood will boost the member-families’ incomes to meet the rising cost of living.
The additional source will enjoin the fishermen to refrain from using illegal methods to include fine-meshed nets that can gather even the fry, and the more dangerous poisoning using pesticides and dynamite or blast fishing.
The livelihood alternatives include fishing nets, pumpboats, materials for seaweeds (guso) culture, tilapiaculture, high value crops farming, carabao, goat, chicken or duck dispersal, sari-sari stores, tri-sikad, meat/food processing and dressmaking, among others, provided that the groups submit simple feasibility studies.
Aumentado pushed for alternative livelihoods after the 7.2 magnitude Great Bohol Earthquake followed closely by typhoon Yolanda pummeled Bohol – destroying gear, crops and infrastructure in their wake.
The solon and DOLE 7 top officials have so far released some P50 million for the purpose. Next year’s funds for distribution can easily go as high, he added. (By June S. Blanco)