Department of Labor and Employment MIMAROPA awarded a livelihood grant to the root crop processors association in Banton last recently amounting to Php 679,717, benefitting 87 farmers which are mostly women and IPs from Bantoanon Tribe.
This livelihood grant highlights the important role of the root crop industry in agriculture and its major contribution to providing livelihoods to small-scale farmers and processors in the community. However, many of these farmers face challenges such as a lack of start-up and working capital, equipment, and limited knowledge of modern processing techniques.
The Local Government Unit of Banton will be the projects’ Accredited Co-Partner to ensure close monitoring and support to the program implementation.
“Ang pagkakaloob ng mga kagamitan para mapabilis ang operasyon at produksyon ng aming napiling livelihood ay isang napakahalagang yugto na naabot ng asosasyon. Lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa DOLE sapagkat ito ay naging tugon sa pangangailangan namin na magkaroon ng pinagkukunan ng pagkakakitaan, makapagbigay ng trabaho at maging magandang halimbawa sa komunidad dahil sa aming adhikain ng pagkakaisa. Bibigyan namin ng kahalagahan ang livelihood grant na ito sa pamamagitan ng paggamit nang wasto para mapalago ang negosyong nasimulan. Kaisa ninyo kami upang maabot ang layunin ng kagawaran,” according to Joseph Fofue, association's president.
The livelihood grant will be utilized for equipment for the production of value-added products. This consists of different units such as a motorized washer machine, grating machine, micro flour mill, dough spiral mixer, oven and working table, and other tools.
Ms. Karen A. Bulgarin, Senior LEO III noted that DOLE has always included the targeted beneficiaries [farmers, women and IP's] in implementing the departments' programs. DOLE Romblon lauded LGU and PESO of Banton for consistently extending help in identifying the need of the community and helping the department to respond promptly to its request.
