BONTOC, Mountain Province – Fifty beneficiaries from Barangay Mainit received complete blacksmith supplies for the manufacture of gongs, household and farm tools funded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) through the municipal government earlier today, May 30, 2023, at the Municipal Capitol.
The municipal government procured the tools totaling PhP 997,000 from DOLE as an Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) for the acquisition of supplies and machinery to be used by the Silvercraft Designers Association (SDA).
The municipal government will also be in charge of the program’s overall management, which will involve monitoring the work process, implementing regulations into place, and holding seminars to increase the members’ knowledge and skills.
This livelihood program of DOLE aims to assist Mainit residents who have a background in metalworking to create and produce gongs and metal tools as a source of livelihood. The expected finished products, including customized gongs, rakes, shovels, axes, hammers, knives, and saws, will be on display and available for purchase at the Municipal Negosyo Center and pre-ordered products can also be submitted.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, DOLE Labor Employment Officer (LEO) Amaranth Abalos, and LEO Jenelyn Caluza from the municipal government led the turnover of the materials earlier today, May 30, 2023.
In her message, Abalos encouraged the recipients to make the most of the resources provided to them.
Mayor Tudlong thanked the DOLE for continuously assisting various organizations, self-employed, and minimum wage earners in Bontoc and capacitating them to earn income, challenging them to manage their livelihood wisely for these to prosper.
“We are grateful to DOLE for empowering our communities and working groups in managing their community-based enterprises. It is my fervent hope to see this local blacksmith industry in Barangay Mainit prosper,” he added.
Likewise, Tudlong assured that the municipal government will continue to strengthen its linkages and convergence with various agencies to request programs that shall benefit the majority.
This is also anchored on the present administration’s roadmap Enlangakha: Achieving the Vision for a Dynamic Bontoc, of its four pillars being economic empowerment. By Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan & Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay