Davao sur: Residents of the province expressed gratitude as government agencies rolled out livelihood and support programs under the Handog ng Pangulo initiative, highlighting opportunities for income and renewed hope.
According to Philippines News Agency, Venus Maravillas of Guihing, Hagonoy, stated that the assistance means a chance to rebuild her livelihood at home. Maravillas, who worked in Dubai for about a year before returning to the Philippines last December due to what she described as unfair labor conditions, received PHP10,000 from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under its Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay program. She plans to use the money to start raising livestock. The mother of two expressed hope that the assistance will enable her to earn a living without leaving her family again. "I am grateful to the President and the province for supporting this initiative, as it will help me make a fresh start and avoid having to work abroad," she said.
Agriculture was also among the sectors supported during the activity held on September 14. The Kapatagan Banana Growers Marketing Cooperative (KBGMC) received PHP2 million for Trichoderma propagation to help address Panama disease affecting banana farms in Mindanao. KBGMC operations manager and technician Raymundo Manlabe Jr. remarked that the funds will be used to improve their propagation facility and upgrade equipment, including an autoclave. "We are thankful for the PHP2 million because this is a big challenge. We need to sustain banana production, especially now that the market is demanding volume and quality," he said, noting the cooperative has 98 growers and around 480 workers.
Other assistance and services were also extended through participating agencies. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is providing PHP2.73 million in training allowances to 350 beneficiaries, while 33 beneficiaries will receive toolkits worth about PHP123,000. The Department of Migrant Workers, National Irrigation Administration, and local government units also participated in the activity, underscoring the broad scope of government interventions aimed at strengthening livelihoods and community resilience in Davao del Sur.
Meanwhile, Gov. Yvonne Cagas noted that the program demonstrated what can be achieved when national and local governments collaborate to address residents' needs. Handog ng Pangulo is a nationwide initiative of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to bring government assistance and services closer to communities, with PHP2.8 billion worth of aid and services being delivered nationwide. It covers programs in health, livelihood, employment, agriculture, and skills development, with national and local agencies participating in the rollout.
