Apo Island Receives 200K Livelihood Kits From DTI

Apo Island was granted Php 200,000 worth of livelihood kits from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Negros Oriental. Included in the livelihood kits are groceries for the local sari-sari store and snorkeling equipment for turtle guiding. The 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army was also there to assist in the distribution of the donation.

Livelihood Kits for Apo Island

Apo Island is a world-renown diving destination. It is also home to plenty of turtles as well as over 400 species of corals and 650 documented species of fish. Hence, there is no surprise that it is famous for snorkeling and scuba diving. DTI-Negros Oriental Chief Nimfa Virtucio, said in an interview last Thursday that the distribution of the donation was held in Apo Island on Wednesday. Over 300 members of the Apo Island Snorkeling Equipment Rental and Guide Association (AISERGA) received livelihood assistance. The Php 200,000 livelihood assistance comprised of Php 80,000 for consumer/grocery goods (like rice & canned food) and Php 120,000 worth of snorkeling equipment (snorkels, masks, and fins).

This sector has been badly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, having lost their primary source of income as snorkeling guides in Apo Island after the tourism industry there was shut down,” said DTI Chief Nimfa Virtucio.

The livelihood kits will help bail them out in the meantime until tourism picks up once more on the island and visitors return to go scuba diving, snorkeling, or swimming with the turtles,” she added.

Other local government units and agencies were also present during the visit to Apo Island. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is offering to provide training to association members, such as on simple book-keeping. Meanwhile, Dauin Mayor Galicano Truita also introduced his project on biogas that can be used in hog-raising.

DTI – Livelihood Seeding Program

According to DTI Chief Nimfa Virtucio, the donation of Php 200,000 is part of the Livelihood Seeding Program. This is a program that is designed to help improve the quality of livelihood for marginalized people. By providing health care, livelihood opportunities, DTI gives home to constructively contribute to the community.