Livelihood assistance reaches pandemic-hit Antique farmers

The distance and geographical location of pandemic-hit farming sector in the mountainous Municipality of Valderrama, Antique make it seem impenetrable for assistance.

But for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the environment, the skills and the industry of the local residents. promise a lot of potential if given the opportunity.

After a thorough assessment, the DOLE Regional Office No. 6 through its Antique Field Office released a Php2,080,000 livelihood assistance for the agri-related and other income-generating livelihood projects of 104 vulnerable workers from the 22 barangays of the municipality.

“The current pandemic has worsened the economic condition of the marginalized farmers and small vendors in the municipality of Valderrama. We have seen the urgent need to support and intervene by providing suitable livelihood projects for families to survive.”  said DOLE No. 6 OIC-Regional Director Atty.  Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr.

The immediate implementation of the livelihood program benefitted the marginalized farmers, farm laborers, self-employed workers earning insufficient income, women and senior citizens.

Surrounded by mountains with wide grazing lands, the municipality of Valderrama is ideal and conducive for cattle and hog raising and fattening projects of 87 identified beneficiaries.

Those with skills engaged in sewing and tailoring, watch repair, welding and furniture making projects. They were provided with tools, equipment and materials for the enhancement of their existing livelihood projects.

“To ensure proper delivery of our programs and projects in the municipality of Valderrama, we maximize our partnership with LGU Valderrama through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO),” said Antique Field Office Head Carmela M. Abellar.

“We closely coordinated with the PESO in the identification of qualified beneficiaries and their respective livelihood projects to ascertain its sustainability and high economic returns even in the midst of the current pandemic.”

Some beneficiaries who are inclined in business ventured in sari-sari stores, carinderia, frozen foods, rice and feeds retailing, coffee and meat processing, fruit vending and other income-generating livelihood projects with potential market in the area.