DTI's CLEEP creates 518 jobs in Aklan

2009/06/26

DTI's CLEEP creates 518 jobs in Aklan

by Venus G. Villanueva

Kalibo, Aklan (26 June) -- The Department of Trade and Industry's weekly conduct of trainings and fora for almost 6 months enabled 518 Aklanons to get jobs or embark on self-employment after availing much-needed information and skills offered by the agency.

DTI-Aklan Provincial Director Diosdado P. Cadena Jr. said the conduct of weekly briefings and trainings in their office and in 9 municipalities here is their agency's response to the national government's directive on job creation under the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP).

Since the latter part of January this year, Cadena said DTI-Aklan has conducted 38 trainings under CLEEP in the province. Twenty-eight (28) of these are trainings on entrepreneurship conducted every Tuesday at DTI-Aklan office, while 9 were conducted in municipalities. The other 8, on the other hand, were skills trainings on food processing, bag making and other trainings requested by participants, while 2 were trainings on management, to help MSMEs manage their business better.

The DTI's CLEEP, Cadena said, helps promote entrepreneurship and provide support to businessmen in starting or expanding their business. It also initiates self-employment for entrepreneurs, which is a good alternative for employment.

"As of now, we have briefed 816 individuals while 169 availed of skills trainings. Twenty-two others availed trainings on management," Cadena said.

Because they have attended trainings, Cadena said 3 entrepreneurs have availed of financial assistance from Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) amounting to P240,000.

"With the equity fund provided by the entrepreneurs, the amount of investments totaled P3.19 million. Based on our monitoring of their sales, some P4.5 million was generated by MSMEs, particularly those who have attended trainings", Cadena said.

Cadena also said that the DTI will continue conducting trainings in their office as part of their CLEEP version.

The DTI Provincial Director also noted that the trainings and fora in municipalities attract many participants who may be prospective entrepreneurs. Trainings/briefings in Kalibo are open to Aklanons from all parts of the province, according to Cadena. (PIA)


Diosdado Cadena Jr.