LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Albay provincial office is conducting a skills training program through the “Alternative Income Opportunities” project for those who have been displaced by the restiveness of Mayon volcano.
Jocelyn Berango, DTI information officer, in an interview on Wednesday said the DTI-Albay was continuously providing assistance to evacuees, especially the workers who had lost their means of livelihood.
DTI-Albay started with a training on coco-coir and abaca twining last January 31 at an evacuation center in Camalig, attended by some 45 housewives and youths.
The training was conducted in partnership with Cocotech Industries Phils. Inc. based in the said town.
“The finished products will have a sure buyer through the Cocotech Industries Phils. Inc. to ensure sustainability and income for the evacuees,” Berango said.
Also, some 25 housewife-evacuees from Barangay Comon, Tabaco City were trained on abaca craft (bag and basket making) at Tabaco City Northwest Elementary School.
Skills training on Pili shell craft is set to be conducted on Feb. 9 at Mayon Elementary School in Barangay Buang, Tabaco City.
As part of the support in sustaining the income-generating activities, DTI-Albay has provided starters’ kit for the training participants which include initial raw materials and small tools and equipment.
There is also ongoing assessment in other evacuation centers located in Legazpi City, Daraga, Guinobatan and Ligao to identify the existing skills and economic activities of the affected barangays.
Aside from the skills training, DTI-Albay also mounted a “Diskwento Caravan” at Bariw National High School last week to provide an opportunity for Mayon evacuees to access basic goods and prime commodities at reduced prices by bringing manufacturers and retailers closer to them.
More than 1,357 total evacuees benefitted from the activity.
Other side activities offered during the Diskwento Caravan were free haircuts, free foot spa/ pedicure, and free blood pressure reading. (PNA)
