P6.4M aid highlights DOLE chief’s Capiztahan visit

Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III joined in the yearly Capiztahan Festival celebration in a more meaningful way through the distribution of checks and inputs for various livelihood projects of the marginalized fisherfolks and locally stranded individuals (LSI) at the Villareal Stadium, Roxas City, Capiz on April 22, 2022.

145 beneficiaries from seven typhoon-affected municipalities received the livelihood assistance amounting to a total of 3.6 million pesos which include the provision of motorized bancas to 70 marginalized fisherfolks and the various items/goods for the livelihood projects of 75 other beneficiaries.

Apart from the livelihood assistance for individual beneficiaries, three associations from Brgy. Jumaguicjic Roxas City; Brgy. Roosevelt, Tapaz; and Ambilay, Panit-an, Capiz also received the check with an aggregate amount of 2, 883, 093 pesos for the livelihood projects of their members.

Bello said the livelihood assistance was fast tracked to mitigate the impact of two major disasters that hit the province.

Capiz is still recovering from the pandemic when Tropical Typhoon Agaton ravaged the livelihood of the people in the area.

Putting ahead the welfare of the workers and the marginalized sector, Secretary Bebot, pledged an additional 60-million-peso assistance for the workers of Capiz who were affected by the typhoon.

He also emphasized that DOLE’s programs and services is a way of bringing the government closer to the people.

“Dahil mahal kayo ng gobyerno, nais naming ilapit ang gobyerno sa inyo.  Ang tulong na iyan ay pera ninyo na dapat ibalik sa inyo; pera yan ng gobyerno, pera ng tao,” the Labor Secretary said.

Joining Sec. Bello in the turn-over ceremony were DOLE RO 6 Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr., Capiz Governor Estevan Contreras, and other dignitaries.

The assistance gives hope to the people of Capiz and a reassurance that DOLE is always ready in providing the much needed help in times of crisis.

Rodriguez was grateful for Sec. Bello’s visit.

“The coming over of Sec. Bello is a gesture of his genuine desire to help the workers in times of needs. His presence amidst the crisis is an indication of his heart for the marginalized sector and the livelihood assistance is a representation of the government’s concern for the poor and the distressed workers,” Atty. Rodriguez said.