DTI-DO kicks off livelihood projects for ‘Pablo’ victims

THE Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Oriental (DTI-DO) has jumpstarted its livelihood interventions for Typhoon Pablo victims in the province.

DTI-DO chief trade and industry development specialist Jose P. Calub said the Oplan Pablo or Program to Accelerate Building Livelihood Opportunities is the contribution of the DTI to the overall Rehabilitation Program of Davao Oriental with the theme “Building Back Better” spearheaded by the provincial government.

Oplan Pablo addresses the economic and livelihood requirements of the affected beneficiaries under the Livelihood and Economic Cluster.

It can be recalled that the province was among the most devastated areas when Super Typhoon Pablo hit the country last December 4, 2012. In the province, the widely-devastated municipalities are Baganga, Cateel, Boston, and some portions of Caraga.

Estimated total cost of damage to crops, livestock, and fishery was pegged at P8.5 billion and trade and services cost of losses to establishments stood at P333 million for the three municipalities.

Meanwhile, DTI-DO provincial director Ma. Belenda Q. Ambi said the figures would tell how enormous the losses are which the calamity brought to the province.

“Residents of these areas lost lives, properties, and means of livelihood. Most of them have relied much on their coconut farms which are now barren lands,” she said.

It was learned that more than six million coconut trees were uprooted.

As of April, the office has already conducted livelihood trainings/seminars on drift wood processing, chili production and processing (the province is known for its dumang – chili pepper seasoning) and mud crab culture and gathering and met with various local government units (LGUs) and stakeholders for consultation.

A market fair at the NCCC Mall was also participated by the producers of Davao Oriental including those from the Pablo affected areas in time for the Araw ng Dabaw last March 11-16.

It was also noted that despite the Typhoon Pablo, a group of powdered chili producers from Cateel joined the International Food Exhibition (Ifex) last May 16-18 in Manila.

Other livelihood and economic opportunities for SME beneficiaries that DTI-DO is looking into are establishment of community-based production centers on woven bamboo slats production, coco coir twining, seaweed production, and bamboo nursery and propagation.

All these will be pursued in collaboration with other partner agencies and stakeholders.

Interventions will include community preparation, entrepreneurship development seminars, technical skills training, provision of shared-service facility, facilitation for financial assistance, among others.