by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, MAR 19(PIA)--- The Department of Labor and Employment in region IX has recently handed over P490,000.00 assistance to the alliance of the Dipolog-Dapitan, Polanco, Katipunan, Roxas and Manukan (DDPKaROMA) Development Council chaired by Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes.
The ceremonial turn-over of the financial assistance was personally done by DOLE-IX Regional Director Sisinio Cano during the Forum on Collaboration for Local Economic Development at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center, spearheaded by DDPKaROMA.
It was attended by Country Program Manager Mr. Luke Myers and First Secretary for Development, Ms. Way Wong, all of Canadian International Development Agency(CIDA), and was witnessed by DOLE-Zamboanga del Norte head, Mr. Henry Tianero, Gov. Yebes and participants of the forum.
The assistance intends to improve the livelihood of the six barangays of Dapitan City, one of the six members of DDPKaROMA.
The recipient barangays are Ilaya for bayong-making, Burgos for food, Owaon for bamboo-craft making, and TAMSUYA( Tamion, Sulangon, and Oyan floor shell-craft making.
The funds was acquired through the cooperation of the private sector, non-government organizations, and Local Government Units to improve the local economy through the assistance of the Canadian International Development Authority(CIDA), Local Government Support Program-Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED).
Yebes said he feel proud that the province now has something to be proud of, unlike before that it only had concepts, books, ordinances, and resolutions and nothing happened.
He was so happy for the realization of these projects through the coordinated effort of the LGUs, private sectors and non-government organizations and the assistance extended by CIDA and LGSP-LED.
Myers in his part, lauded the unity of the members of the DPPKaROMA. He was also thankful to the Provincial Government for the warm accommodation extended to his group.
Meanwhile, it was also launched during the said occasion the book entitled “Ang Blugto” a Subanen term for rainbow, the first Subanen publication that portrays the Subanen in Zamboanga del Norte which was crafted at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University, under the leadership of Dr. Evelyn Campiseño, with the coordination of the DDPKaROMA Development Council, DILG Regional Office, LGSP-LED, and the whole JRMSU in Zamboanga del Norte.