Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Elias Cayanong. Photo courtesy of DOLE-8
Department of Labor and Employment Regional Director Elias Cayanong. Photo courtesy of DOLE-8

EASTERN SAMAR, – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 8 released a total of P4,311,121.50 financial assistance to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maydolong, Eastern Samar, as aid for its constituents on the recovery and rehabilitation from Typhoon Yolanda.

The P4.3-M constitutes for the livelihood assistance for the 167 beneficiaries for their individual projects on food vending, fishing, farming, carpentry and welding, sewing, grooming and personal care (P1.6M); as well as, for the employment assistance for the 600 Yolanda-displaced workers (P2.7M).

The employment grant will serve as salaries and wages of another set of beneficiaries, who assisted their communities on the recovery and rehabilitation programs and activities, particularly on declogging of canals and repair of public utilities.

The grant was formally turned over by Regional Director Elias A. Cayanong, to LGU representative, Ms. Delilah A. Tamondong, Revenue Collection Officer, at the DOLE Regional Office, Tacloban City.

RD Cayanong said that the grant, which is primarily intended for the purchase of tools and equipment, is expected to aid the beneficiaries to get back on their feet after the typhoon.

“We envision that these beneficiaries will attain a more productive and decent employment, as a way to provide a new horizon for their families from the storm. We are confident that we are on the right track.

DOLE will continue to assist the marginalized sectors of our society by giving them opportunity to live a decent life and somehow alleviate them from the bondage of poverty,” said the regional chief.

Ms. Tamondong, in return, thanked DOLE for helping their town recover from the nightmares of Yolanda.

“Damo an nawarayan pakabuhi han pagsagasa ni Yolanda, kay dumuroy dama na dumamo an pobre ha amon. Pero, tungod han bulig han DOLE, makakasiring ako na dako it bulig hini ha amon pagpukrat tikang han bangungot. Salamat madamo!” (On the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda, a lot of the townsfolks had lost their jobs and livelihood, thereby increasing the poverty rate in our town. However, with the help of DOLE, I can say that this is a huge help for us to be able to wake up from the nightmare. Thank you so much, DOLE!).

RD Cayanong and ARD Guzman assured closer partnership and continuous delivery of DOLE programs and services to LGU Maydolong provided proper implementation and liquidation of previous assistance granted are undertaken. (ajc/nc/DOLE-8)