Butuan city: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 13 (Caraga Region) announced on Tuesday that 11 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, and this city received assistance to improve their businesses through the DOLE’s Adjustment Measures Program (AMP).

According to Philippines News Agency, more than PHP4.3 million in support was released on Oct. 23, 24, and 27 during the turnover ceremonies conducted by DOLE-13 for the benefiting SMEs. Around 96 combined workers from the said SMEs will directly benefit from the assistance through the improvement of their welfare, as the assistance is seen to enhance business operations, the DOLE-13 said.

Of the total number of SMEs, 10 received PHP400,000 in assistance each, while one received PHP395,000. The support is intended to fund equipment, tools, and materials that will ease workloads and improve the workplace efficiency of SME employees by upgrading tools, the agency said.

Jonalyn Sales, the general manager of Historya by Antigo Coffee Shop in this city, expressed gratitude for the DOLE intervention. ‘The grant will be used to purchase much-needed equipment to reduce manual labor. This is a big help for us,’ Sales said, adding that 19 workers from their shop will benefit from the support. She also noted that the assistance came at a crucial time, as their coffee shop continues to strive to remain competitive amid the growing number of caf©s in the city.

The other recipients of DOLE-AMP were Minda Construction, Washpoint Auto Care, and RDK Paint Center in Agusan del Norte; OHM-Mega Electronic Services, Mr. FMJ Marketing, Pawsitive Point Veterinary, Blue Plates Cakes and Pastries, and Samuel’s Candies in Agusan del Sur; and Techrevolve Academy and Lagwerta Celio’s Food House in Surigao del Sur.