Albay releases P12.4M for zero interest livelihood soft loans

By Mike dela Rama

LEGAZPI CITY, Jan. 24 (PNA) –- The Albay provincial government has released P12.4 million to 111 organized clusters in the different municipalities and cities.

Emily Kare, Albay Mabuhay Task Force (AMTF) program coordinator, said the P12.4 is the total amount of zero interest loan for livelihood of different clusters.

“From August to December 2008 we were able to release 38.15 percent of the P32.5 million actual appropriated budget for livelihood program with no interest but payable every 4th and 8th month,” she said.

The AMTF is expected to organize at least 260 clusters in different towns and cities. Each cluster is composed of 15 to 25 persons and they are entitled to avail of P125,000.00 (maximum) soft loan for any livelihood program depending upon their needs.

Most of them are engaged in crop production, food processing, piggery and trading.

The AMTF is tasked by Governor Joey Salceda to implement income generation programs in coordination with concerned agencies.

Kare clarified that livelihood assistance is being extended by the provincial government to all displaced and resettled families due to typhoon Reming in 2006. “As of December 2008 we are serving 2,480 persons, all of them members of different clusters,” she said.

She explained that the basis of approving the soft loan for every cluster is made in consideration of the relative need, the relative resources and the relative preparedness of their area.

“We have enough fund for the program. What we need is to organize those resettled families and provide them necessary orientation and training,” Kare said.

The cluster is given the full power to decide on what kind of livelihood they want to engage in. (PNA)