DOLE brings services closer to IPs

Livelihood assistance was extended to members of Indigenous People (IP) in the town of Tobias Fornier, one of the areas heavily hit by Typhoon Odette in Antique province.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office 6, through its Antique Field Office (AnFO), released 14 heads of cow and 1 carabao to 15 member-beneficiaries of Pantad Ati Tribe Association at Brgy. Igcalawagan early this year.

The assistance amounting to P305,000.00 was intended to help the agri-related livelihood   projects of the disadvantaged sector including the IPs.

“We   want   to   uplift   their economic condition by providing them livelihood projects that will augment their income. We want to make them feel they are valued and deserving of government’s   programs   and   services,” said OIC-Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr.

“Bahol nga pasalamat namon sa DOLE sa gintugro nga livelihood assistance para sa amon miyembro. Makabulig gid dya sa amon pangabuhi (We thank DOLE for the livelihood assistance. It is of great help to us),” said tribe Chieftain Edna Ticuan whose husband is a recipient of the livelihood project.

The Ticuan couple has 8 children, with 2 two of them in college and 2 in high school.

With favorable geographical location and the herding skills of the beneficiaries, AnFO Head Carmela M. Abellar expressed hope for the success of the livelihood project.

“We are happy to make a difference in the lives of the IPs. With their ability and determination, we are looking forward that these livelihood project will become prosperous and sustainable and will gradually improve the lives of the beneficiaries in the near future,” Abellar said.

For Fernando Ticuan, receiving healthy cattle to call “his own” is a blessing.

Ticuan is a 70-year-old farm laborer who accepts all kinds of job just to earn a living,

Punong   Barangay   Ronnie   S.   Noble   of   Brgy.   Igcalawagan   extended   his appreciation to DOLE and expressed joy for the livelihood project of his IP constituents.

He underscored the need of the Atis and expressed his gratefulness to the help extended to them.