In a significant move to bolster local economies, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Bicol has disbursed nearly PHP10 million to support 26 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Camarines Sur. The financial aid, distributed on January 30, 2025, aims to help these businesses recover from the economic impacts of weather disturbances that plagued the region in 2024. DOLE-5 Director Imelda Gatinao emphasized that the funds, provided under the DOLE Adjustment Measures Program (AMP), are intended to mitigate the vulnerability of workers and enterprises to economic disruptions. The initiative is designed to prevent business closures by offering a financial lifeline, enhancing job preservation and generation. The aid, ranging from PHP149,000 to PHP900,000 per enterprise, is expected to improve human resources, enterprise viability, and resilience, thereby boosting productivity, competitiveness, and the creation of sustainable job opportunities.
