Aklan towns get P5.8 M from DTI for grassroots projects

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The province of Aklan has 15 projects approved for implementation for 2014 in nine of 17 of its municipalities under the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Program (GPBP) costing P5.8 million, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Aklan said.

DTI Aklan provincial director Engr. Diosdado Cadena said the agency is pouring in the initial funds to the municipalities of Banga, Lezo and Numancia under GPBP formerly known as bottom-up budgeting (BuB) project funds. 

DTI is one of the participating agencies of GPB which seeks to allocate funds of the national government to be more responsive to the needs of the communities.

"After identifying the projects and completing the project proposals for this year, the DBM will release the funds for implementation for the six remaining municipalities,” Cadena added. 

The six other towns that benefit the same program of DTI are Malay, Tangalan, Ibajay, Libacao, Nabas and the capital town of Kalibo.

Banga will be given P600,000 for industry players of blacksmith, metal craft and handicraft industries on buri and bamboo   through technical trainings and programs on entrepreneurship. 

In Lezo, the funds of P1.6 million will be allocated for its abaca, pina, food and fruit processing and pottery industries.

“The funding program for Lezo includes capability building of entrepreneurs, trainings, product enhancement and marketing assistance,” Cadena said. 

The GPB funding will also enhance the food processing industries such as meat, fish, confectionary, gifts and decors and housewares in Numancia for P950,000.