The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 10 (Northern Mindanao) on Thursday began giving assistance worth almost PHP29 million to 5,330 beneficiaries in the region.
DOLE-10 Director Albert E. Gutib said in a statement that the distribution of the PHP28,752,616 worth of aid will run until September 24, covering Iligan City; Barangay Alae in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Misamis Oriental; and Lanao del Norte.
Secretary Silvestre Bello III led the region-wide turnover of assistance, with an initial amount of PHP13,464,580, to some 1,944 beneficiaries in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.
“This is a reminder that the money of the DOLE, is the money that comes from the people. And the money in our department should be given to the people,” Bello said in his speech in Alae.
The cash assistance came from DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Integrated Livelihood Program, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s Balik Pinas Balik Hanapbuhay.
Other beneficiaries received the aid through the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program, Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFWs) Dependent Scholarship Program, and Tulong Pangkabuhayan Para sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang-OFWs.
Bello also awarded establishments in the private sector with the DOLE Safety Seal, after complying with the government’s health and safety guidelines in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in their workplaces.
In Bukidnon’s Barangay Alae, 750 beneficiaries are set to receive financial assistance worth PHP6,861,036.
On Friday, Bello will award 1,358 beneficiaries in Cagayan de Oro City with PHP6,540,000 during an event for the DOLE’s BikeCINATION Program.
For Misamis Oriental beneficiaries, the DOLE’s package of assistance worth PHP1,887,000 will be awarded to some 1,278 beneficiaries of the province.
Source: Philippines News Agency
