The DOLE-RO No. 6 through its Capiz Field Office recently released a total of 3.8million-peso livelihood assistance to four (4) farmers’ cooperatives in Brgys. Puti-an, Mahunodhunod, Caratava and San Antonio. 

DOLE-RO No. 6 Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao stated that the projects are in line with Executive Order No. 70 which institutionalize the whole-of-the-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace and to end local communist armed conflict, in this case, in the Municipality of Cuartero.

The Uswag Puti-an Farmers Association, Mauswagon Mahunodhunod Association, and the Sulong sa Kauswagan Carataya Farmers Association received one (1) million pesos each for the custom plowing and tractor services project. Kasanag San Antonio Farmers Association, on the other hand, was granted 800,000 pesos for the flat bed drying facility. 

“The provision of the tractor will reduce the post-harvest loses by 5% and will provide solution to the problem of limited manpower doing manual activities during land preparation,” said DOLE-Capiz Field Office Head Wilfredo A. Santizo.

RD Ticao is confident that the projects will help in poverty alleviation in the conflict-affected areas. “The project will help the marginalized farmers find sustainable means of socio-economic activities by involving them in the work force of the custom plowing and tractor services project.”

The livelihood projects are part of the governments’ initiative of letting the members of the marginalized sector feel the government’s efforts in pushing for progress through peaceful and lawful means and convincing communist rebels to return to the fold of the government.