AMID the series of typhoons and others calamities, there is a paramount need for technology-driven, resource-based and sustainable livelihood program for Filipinos who are economically displaced and marginalized due to natural and man-made calamities, including returning or displaced OFWs and their families.
Aiming to enhance resilience and self-reliance of the people, aside from rebuilding their communities, the program, as the Science and Technology department emphasizes, will focus on establishment of community-based enterprises, business incubators, business and technology centers, innovation and knowledge centers, and promotion of climate change mitigation to increase community disaster resiliency.
Business and technology incubators will provide a package of support services to start-up enterprises while business and technology centers will serve as alternative sites and technology terminals to create new or revive enterprises. Innovation and knowledge centers, meanwhile, will provide relevant information on science, technology, and innovation.
Working capital is not a problem too as the Department of Labor and Employment will provide in the form of raw materials, equipment, tools and jigs; trainings on skills and entrepreneurship, and organizational development, as well as on productivity, safety and health; and facilitate entrepreneurs’ enrollment to micro-insurance.
Livelihood programs are indigenous handicraft making, fiber glass bancas, foldaway shelter, ceramic water pot filter, bakery products, charcoal briquetting, vegetable noodles, waste recycling, and complementary foods for babies, smokehouse kits, fish canning and bottling, fish and squid drying, vacuum packing, fish fillet, and minced fish.
There is hope for the calamity-stricken people in the country. They can stand on their own—through livelihood programs.#
