BONTOC, Mountain Province – Fifty beneficiaries from Barangay Mainit received complete blacksmith supplies for the manufacture of gongs, household, and farm tools from the Department of Labor and Employment through the local government unit.
The LGU procured the tools amounting to P997,000 from DOLE as an accredited co-partner for the acquisition of supplies and machinery to be used by the Silvercraft Designers Association.
The LGU will also be in charge of the program’s management, which will involve monitoring the work process, implementing regulations into place, and holding seminars to increase the members’ knowledge and skills.
The livelihood program aims to assist Mainit residents who have a background in metalworking to create and produce gongs and metal tools for living.
The products, such as customized gongs, rakes, shovels, axes, hammers, knives, and saws, will be on display and available for purchase at the Municipal Negosyo Center. Pre-ordered products will also be available.
Mayor Jerome Tudlong, DOLE Labor Employment Officer III Amaranth Abalos, and Labor Employment Officer III Jenelyn Caluza from the LGU led the turnover of the materials.
Abalos encouraged the recipients to make the most of the resources provided to them.
Mayor Jerome Tudlong thanked the DOLE for continuously assisting various organizations, self-employed, and minimum wage earners in Bontoc and capacitating them to generate income. He challenged the recipients to manage their livelihood wisely for it 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.
Tudlong assured that the LGU will continue to strengthen its linkages and convergence with various agencies to request programs that shall benefit the majority. – Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan and Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
