President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has tapped multi-sectoral agencies to create viable sources of livelihood particularly in tourism, agriculture and environment sectors, among others in response to the prevailing global financial crisis, with a total budget of P330 billion. About 112,000 jobs were initially projected to be created on a nationwide level under the CLEEP.

Specifically, the program aims to provide livelihood opportunities to laid off overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other unemployed sectors in agriculture, such as farmers and fisherfolk.

In Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) alone, since the

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and other agencies of the government that have been implementing the CLEEP program since last month, close to 3,820 skilled and non-skilled people have already gained employment.

“The work given to me is an answered prayer for my starving family,” said Joel R. Pilo, 40 years old, a resident of this city. A father to three children, he was among the almost 2,000 applicants that lined up during the job fair at the DPWH regional office here.

Northern Mindanao DPWH Regional Director Dr. Evelyn T. Barroso said that Pilo is one of the 414 newly hired workers set to be deployed in field government infrastructure projects.

The DPWH Caraga is set to hire some 15,000 skilled and non-skilled workers before the end of the year.

On the other hand, 23-year-old Donato Grado, who was hired as Technical Assistant in Adfil Construction Corp. during the DPWH job fair, said: “The salary package is very compensating with complete benefits enough to support the daily needs of our families.”

Meanwhile, to provide local employment as well as sustain the demand abroad, the government launched the Nurses Assigned in Rural Service (NARS) program.

The DOLE-Caraga region announced this during a press conference here today, March 18.

At least 355 registered nurses in the region stand to benefit from this project, the DOLE said.

It was gathered that 355 nurses will initially be hired throughout the region. Fifty will be assigned in Agusan del Norte; 70 in Agusan del Sur; 105 in Surigao del Norte; 95 in Surigao del Sur; and 35 for the province of Dinagat Islands.

NARS is a joint undertaking of the DOLE, Department of Health (DOH), and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) – Board of Nursing. The program also aims to address the glut in inexperienced nurses and increase accessibility of health care services for the marginalized and poor sector (PIA-Pagadian)

Last update: 21-03-2009 04:27