DOLE, DOST Bicol to implement livelihood project worth P7.3M for Project RAY

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LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional office here has allocated some P7.3 million to fund 12 livelihood projects in Bicol six provinces under the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) program up for implementation within the first quarter of this year.

Project RAY is a national government effort as a convergence program which implementation is led by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) with close coordination with other national government agencies and local governments.

In Bicol, DOLE and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will pursue special convergence program under Project RAY to create sustainable livelihood for the survivors of typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas region.

DOLE Bicol regional director Nathaniel V. Lacambra said the implementing agencies will employ strategy utilizing the livelihood funds from DOLE and apply the recent existing and available technology for the specific livelihood project in the region in order to increase and simplify production of goods and products.

“Any project developed and proven successful under this program, in any region nationwide, will be duplicated in areas heavily hit by typhoon Yolanda to form part of the livelihood restoration program code named Project RAY,” Lacambra explained.

“The concept is more of an “incubation center”. We implement the projects here in Bicol, use existing technology and resources, make them work then deliver it to Yolanda survivors for their use,” he added.

DOLE and DOST Bicol regional office has identified projects including charcoal briquetting and fish processing for Masbate with P1.6M funding; molasses and citronella processing and production project and fish and food processing for Camarines Sur with P2M funding; handicraft making and shell craft processing for Sorsogon with P1.5M funding; Crab fattening, muscovado processing and handicraft production for Catanduanes with P0.8M funding; upgrading of food processing and citronella oil production for Camarines Norte with P1.25 M funding; and karagumoy processing in Albay with P1M funding.

Lacambra expressed optimism that the special convergence in Bicol under Project RAY will not only help survivors of typhoon Yolanda but will also bolster the development of the region, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

Project RAY, Lacambra noted, will most probably become the benchmark of livelihood restoration projects in areas hardly hit by calamities worldwide.

“If you would note the details of the projects listed, you could see that all raw materials are very common in Tacloban, making which feasible to duplicate such projects there.” Lacambra added.

DOLE Bicol has initially conducted Regional Livelihood and Employment Strategic and Planning Workshop on February 27-28 at the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) participated in by DOLE provincial heads, livelihood focal persons and employment unit of TSSD and selected personnel of the IMSD. (MAL-PIA5/Albay)
Source: Philippine Information Agency (Bicol)