Diocesan schools get P.6M from DOLE

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 11 (PIA) -- At least five diocesan schools in Siquijor received P638,000 from the alternative livelihood program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

The program will benefit some 105 members of the faculty and staff of the five schools namely Assisi High School of Siquijor town, St. Vincent Academy of Larena, Ave Maria Academy of Maria, St. Isidore High School of Lazi, and St. John High School of San Juan, town. 

DOLE-Siquijor information officer Jerome Alam said, each school beneficiary received its due amount for each project lined up. 

Assisi High School got P202,332 for a digital photo copier and ID processing business. St Vincent Academy got the P130,868 also for a digital copier and for setting up a school cafeteria. 

Ave Maria Academy got a share of P90,158 for the provision of school supplies and merchandise while St. Isidore High School, P138,9777 also for a digital photo copier and a budget for putting up school cafeteria. 

St. John High School also got P100,217 for printing machine and school supplies and for putting up school canteen. 

DOLE-Siquijor launched the Integrated Livelihood Program in coordination with the Assisi High School of Siquijor, Incorporated to help private school teachers earn extra income while in the service, Alam explained. 

It will also provide opportunity for the private schools to improve their services for the welfare of the students, Alam said. 

DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program aims to provide productive, gainful and secure employment to marginalized and unprpotected workers. It intends to assist the workers in the formal economy in engaging into business to augment their wages/salaries. 

Alam hopes that their business activity will provide them with additional sources of income from their hare in the profit as well as employment for their family members. (mbcn/RAC/PIA-Siquijor/with reports from Charlene Manginsay/ST reporter)

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DA Sec urges Siquijodnons to plant more corn, rootcropsvows support to improve production, processing

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, May 11 (PIA) -- Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala encouraged Siquijodnon farmers to plant more corn and rootcrops as he pledged support to help Siquijor farmers improve corn and root crops production and processing. 

In his keynote speech during his visit to the island earlier, Alcala noted that farmers may have lost interest in planting corn and rootcrops due to lack of new machineries that could have lighten their chores. 

He said that eating corn and root crops never speaks of poverty, as he cited some renowned personalities like Cong. Lucy Torres-Gomez, husband Richard Gomez, and boxer Manny Pacquiao preferring to eat corn and rootcrops rather than rice. 

He said his real purpose in coming to the island is to know the farmers’ needs and provide answers to such needs. 

“In that way, we will be sure that we are not wasting government money as we hope to provide you sufficient food for your daily needs,” he said as he also asked the farmers’ support to the government’s effort. 

The agricultural support the secretary promised included mini-corn mill, mechanized corn sheller, and cassava granulator and shredder to be distributed to all six towns in the province. 

Corn seeds of good variety will also be provided aside from assistance in the marketing of the farmers’ produce. 

Alcala’s visit is part of President Benigno Aquino’s directive to check and hear issues and concerns of local farmers and to find solutions and strategies to address the issues. (MBCN/RAC-PIA 7, Siquijor)