CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, through Misamis Oriental Provincial Field Office (PFO), turned over P506,200 worth of livelihood financial assistance on cassava marketing to 124 Mindulao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MINFARCCO) in Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental.
Despite the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for cassava products is still very high, MINFARCCO Chairperson Ediver Joy Buyan said. He added that the entire Misamis Oriental cannot cope with the demand for cassava.
Hence, the cooperative decided to seek aid from DOLE-10, not only to address the demand of the local consumers but also to contribute to poverty alleviation in their own community.
Furthermore, he said the farmer-members were more than willing to take part in the expansion of cassava production, foreseeing the equitable growth, development and sustainable agriculture.
The opportunities in creating rural enterprises for cassava processing like upgrading of farming skills and price control surge of cassava products are highlighted.
Buyan expressed his sincere gratitude to DOLE-10 and the local government of Magsaysay. He said he and his members are fully determined to sustain and later on expand the project to realize their “Pay It Forward” vision.
He said this vision of the project will be life-changing to the Mindulao farmers to impact their lives economically, especially the less fortunate, marginalized and vulnerable in this time of pandemic.
Likewise, DOLE-10 MisOr PFO Chief Errol A. Natividad thanked the partnership with the Local Government of Magsaysay for their continued support to their constituents. He is positive the project will succeed and grow for it is not only income generating, but also provides jobs to alleviate poverty in the community.
The DOLE Integrated Livelihood Project (DILP) or Kabuhayan Program is one of DOLE’s programs, which contributes to the governments’ agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and substantial poverty reduction by providing livelihood assistance. (DOLE10/PIA10)
