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CENTRAL VISAYAS
DOLE-DOST identifies 20 projects for Yolanda victims in CV Cansaga Bay Bridge in Cebu
By: Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) --- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-7 identified at least 20 projects for Central Visayas in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-7 and other stakeholders during the recent livelihood convergence consultation meeting under the Reconstruction Assistance for Yolanda victims (RAY) program on February 6, 2014.
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OLE-7 regional director Chona Mantilla said this convergence program is to provide a menu of technology-driven and resource-based livelihood packages and sustainable to the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers and workers displaced by natural calamities. The group identified bulb making, charcoal briquetting, interlocking of concrete earth blocks products, as among the projects that will be introduced to the Yolanda victims. In her message, Mantilla encouraged the participants to do better than just talk about it.
Mantilla added the rationale of the activity is to emphasize three significant features on how to step-up projects that were identified in the 1st phase. International Labor Organization (ILO) representative Giovanni Soledad also shared his experiences and roles on the identified Proposed Livelihood Recovery Projects in Northern Cebu. He recognized DOLE’s efforts as an indispensable partner of ILO and laid down significant projects that need intervention or convergence of different social partners, not to mention the LGUs, DOST and RAFI in order to attain success. To fast track the projects, the
group decided to tackle action with communication plan with confidence that it will be set in motion the soonest possible time. Attending the consultative conference were representatives from the DOLE attached agencies: TESDA, RTWPB, OWWA, an International Labour Organization (ILO) and Labor Group of Clear Export Manufacturing and Incorporated representatives. For more information on this report, you may contact Emmanuel Y. Ferrer, Regional Labor Communication Officer at telephone number (032) 416-6167/ 266-9722. (mbcn/HFG/PIA-7/DOLE-7)
Cebu Capitol continues SPES for 100 students this year By: Rachelle M. Nessia CEBU CITY, Feb. 19 (PIA) -- Starting April this year, around 100 students in Cebu province will start working in various departments at the Capitol under the government’s Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).
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he students, aged 18 and below, children whose parents’ income do not will work for a period of 30 days exceed P100,000 per annum. during which they will receive To date, PESO is already flooded with P5,886. more than 100 applicants. Cebu provincial government is “We started accepting applicants shouldering 60% of their wage, while the since January this year and so far, we have 40% is from the Department of Labor and already received more than 100 Employment (DOLE), according to Dr. applications,” said Julius Chua of the Cebu Mathea Baguia, consultant on Employment Public Employment Services Office Services at the Capitol. (PESO). Qualified to work under SPES are Applicants who are more than 18
years old are referred to private companies who are participating in the employment program. Cebu provincial government started implementing said program in 2009. SPES is implemented under Republic Act 7323 which encourages employment for poor but deserving students during summer and/or Christmas vacations. (RMN/PIA Cebu)
Funds available for socialized housing programs in LGUs By: Ferliza C. Contratista CEBU CITY, Feb. 20 (PIA) --- Local government units (LGUs) in Cebu especially those hit by calamities are encouraged to avail of funds for socialized housing program.
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n the Feb. 19 Kapihan sa PIA Cebu, guests from the Social Finance Housing Corporation (SHFC) announced that they have an Omnibus Commitment Line (OCL) program which LGUs can avail of to help them address issues on relocation of families living along disaster zones. Joel Ejes, SHFC account specialist, said that municipalities and cities can apply for as much as P50-million and P20-million for qualified barangays to bankroll identified social housing projects in their areas. This fund, Ejes said, has to be implemented in a year. An LGU can use the funds for offsite relocation, which is usually the case in disaster-hit areas. Funds for offsite projects will be used
to acquire and developing the lot where informal settlers, including those residing in danger zones, will be relocated under the concept of community ownership. According to Zeny Gread, SHFC local community mortgage program officer, said program is timely because there is already a strict enforcement of the 40-meter no-build zones policy aside from forced evacuation of residents from danger zones. Under OCL, SHFC can release 75% of the total land acquisition cost so that the project can start immediately. Other than that, off site project also include lot acquisition for those informal settlers covered with court conviction order and those that are voluntarily transferring from one community to another locality.
On the other hand, Onsite project is for the purpose of acquiring the land already occupied by informal settlers. Gread said this program also gives the LGU an opportunity to earn since they are entitled to 1/6 the total amount of the amortization provided that the collection rate is good. Here in Cebu, only Talisay City has so far enjoyed the benefits of CMP with a fast turn around of investment. Gread said they have five projects implemented in Talisay City. CMP is an initiative of the current Undersecretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government Francisco Fernandez. He is also a former Cebu City administrator and founder of Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc. (rmn/ FCC/PIA7)