Zambales farmers benefit from DOLE-DOST program

STA. CRUZ, Zambales — A farmers association in Zambales recently benefited from the convergence livelihood program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The Bitsandu Irrigators Association, Inc. based in Sta. Cruz town received livelihood assistance amounting to P300,000 which will be used for its mushroom production project.

Through this program, we aim to produce sustainable livelihood projects and create employment not only through provision of capital but also of technology assistance for various businesses, DOLE Technical Support and Services Division for Employment and Welfare Chief Nely Punzalan said.

For his part, DOLE Zambales Field Office Head Reynante Lugtu lauded the DOST, local government and other partner agencies for their continued support to their programs and services.

Rest assured that we will be working hand in hand with our partners in providing technical assistance to our beneficiaries to ensure that their projects will become

fruitful and more importantly help their families, he emphasized.

Speaking in behalf of his fellow beneficiaries, association president Ernesto Bucat expressed gratitude for this assistance as he promised the agencies that theywould work hard to make this livelihood project prosper and improve their standard of living.

The DOLE-DOST convergence program was created to provide sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities to the poor, vulnerable and > marginalized workers, workers displaced by natural and man-made calamities, and returning/displaced overseas Filipino workers and their

families.

Under the program, DOLE shall identify target beneficiaries and in-demand skills vis-Ã -vis available skilled individuals in the communities, enroll projects, and provide funds.

It shall also closely coordinate with Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry with regards to availability of raw materials and current market demand.

DOST, on the other hand, shall provide scientific and technological skills, strategies, and assistance to grantees through the help of its corporate arm- the Technology Resource Center and Research and Development Institutes. (PIA 3)