The Philippine government is launching a P1.5 billion project aimed at supporting farmers and fisherfolk impacted by the ongoing energy crisis.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), this initiative will provide short-term wage employment and livelihood assistance through various programs, including the Integrated Livelihood Program and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).
Project Details
The convergence project involves collaboration between DOLE, the Department of Agriculture, and the National Irrigation Administration. It aims to rehabilitate agricultural facilities by constructing secondary irrigation canals and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The initiative seeks to bolster food security, facilitate the movement of goods, and enhance water resource management and agricultural productivity.
Currently, the project is being implemented in regions such as Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga. Beneficiaries in these areas are engaged in activities like clearing irrigation canals and vegetable gardening.
DOLE plans to extend the project to Central Luzon, Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Previous Aid Initiatives
Prior to this new project, DOLE has already distributed P148.9 million in livelihood assistance to approximately 7,000 farmers and fisherfolk since the beginning of the year.
This assistance included agricultural supplies and equipment for broiler raising, chicken egg production, and hog fattening, as well as support for food-related businesses like frozen food retail and peanut butter processing.
Additionally, under the TUPAD program, over 90,000 farmers and fisherfolk have benefitted from emergency employment, engaging in public facility maintenance, coastal cleanups, tree planting, and more.
This new initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to address the challenges posed by the ongoing energy crisis.