Kapampangans get P27-M worth of livelihood assistance

Gov. Lilia Pineda, Second District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Vice-Gov. Dennis Pineda sign a MOA together with officials of DOLE, OWWA, DOJ, CIAC, DSWD, DFA and other agencies to strengthen and expand the law enforcement coordination in the fight against illegal recruitment and trafficking of persons during yesterday’s Pampanga Day celebration. Joining them are mayors and board members.—

Chris Navarro

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The provincial government here, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday distributed more than P27-million worth of salary and livelihood assistance to mark the first day of the weeklong Pampanga Day celebration.

Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda led the distribution of grants to some 4,493 Kapampangan working students and unemployed individuals under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) and Tulong Panghanap-buhay sa Displaced Workers ( TUPAD) .

Under SPES, a total of P22,410,736 was distributed to 4,493 college students after rendering services at the different departments of the provincial government for 25 days. Sixty percent of their total P8,816.20 salary came from the provincial government while the remaining 40 percent served as DOLE’s counterpart.

Meanwhile, various livelihood assistance amounting to more than P4.7-million were awarded to different TUPAD beneficiaries from all over the provi nce.

Some 11 livelihood associations (Bigasan at Tindahan sa Barangay) and four sampaguita propagating groups received P100,000 each while young entrepreneurs and meta crafters from the City of San Fernando and bakers from Sta. Rita town were awarded P205,000, P170,000 and P210,000 each as aid to their businesses.

A total of P1.2-million worth of sewing materials were also awarded to four groups of sewers in the province while 75 scavengers from the 15 towns and cities of Pampanga received Negokarts amounting to P15,000 each in an aim to uplift their lives.

During the distribution, Vice-Governor Pineda urged the beneficiaries to grow their businesses as it is intended to assist them and their families on their daily living and reminded them that the provincial government, through the Public Employment Services Office, will be monitoring their grants to identify which were properly developed.

“Nakamonitor po kami diyan at kapag nakita namin na napalago ninyo, dadagdagan pa namin ang inyong kapital para tuluyan na lumaki ang mga negosyo ninyo,” he said.

The vice-governor also reminded the SPES beneficiaries to utilize the grants for their educational needs such as tuition fees and expenses on their projects.

Also present to witness the ceremonial distribution were Governor Lilia Pineda, Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, local chief executives, DOLE Central Luzon Director Ana Dione and heads of other national agencies.