In line with the livelihood component of the Labor Day Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) program, beneficiaries of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-assisted livelihood projects earned at the La Tienda Provincia open-air day and night market at Smallville Commercial Complex on May 1-2, 2021.
The agri-business fair featured Region VI’s different agricultural cooperatives.
Beneficiaries of the Coconut Industry Development Project who are also members of the Male Farmers Association in Tubungan, Iloilo earned Php21,268 from the sale of the geo-net, fruits, vegetables, root crops and processed fruits and root crops products.
Showcasing pandan handicraft such as place mat, women’s hand wallet and coin purse, assorted hand bags, “bayong” market bag and computer bags, the Baje Weaver’s Association of Leon, Iloilo netted Php5,895 in the agri-business fair.
The Silagon Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Ajuy, Iloilo also gained Php2,665 for the sale of dressed native chicken, vermicast and earthworms (biomass).
The TNK also opened opportunities for the beneficiaries.
“One of our clients during the Labor Day TNK livelihood fair signified his intention to visit our incubator and vermicomposting facility,” cooperative manager Jenevel Calzado said.
Calzado also shared how the project helped the livelihood of the members.
“The Php800,000 financial assistance and the facilities provided by DOLE have given us a lot of opportunities. The facilities such as the incubator helped us produce more chicks for native chicken raising which has become one of the major livelihood of the members especially during the pandemic.”
“This realized DOLE’s objectives of providing livelihood opportunities and additional income to the beneficiaries,” DOLE Regional Office No. VI Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao said.
“With their dedication, skills and cooperation the assistance provided by DOLE will go a long way and will create impact to their lives.”
The Baje Weavers Association, expressed gratitude for the support of DOLE to the pandan weaving industry.
“Sang una, banig lang gid gina-obra namon. Bangud sa bulig sang DOLE, nakahimu na kami sang bags, kahita kag iban nga mga gamit. (Before we just produced pandan mat. Because of DOLE’s assistance, we are now into making bags and wallets and other accessories,” shared Susana Gadian, a member of Baje Weavers Association.
The raw materials and equipment provided by DOLE enabled them to improve the products and its marketability abroad said Gadian. During the product display, a local designer showed interest in the enhancement of the products which is a welcome development for the beneficiaries.
The DOLE-assisted Coconut Industry Development Project in the Municipality of Tubungan sustained and improved its operation through the equipment and raw materials provided by the Department. The grant also paved the way for the rehabilitation of the coconut industry in the locality.
The Coconut Industry Development Project is a convergence of the DOLE and the Local Government Unit and won the Regional Kabuhayan Awards in 2016.
Silagon Multi-Purpose Cooperative and the Baje Weavers Association also won the same awards in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
