MinDA TienDA to serve as livelihood development program for earthquake victims

THE MINDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) will expand the MinDA Tienda project into a livelihood development program for those affected by the series of earthquakes last October in parts of Mindanao. The Tienda project was initially rolled out in Makilala, Cotabato and Bansalan, Davao del Sur as temporary retail outlets for fresh and dry goods to give earthquake-affected residents easier access to supplies. MinDA, in a statement over the weekend, said they will be holding capacity-building and financial management trainings for the earthquake victims to help them set up livelihood projects. “After their capability trainings… they will be organized into associations and cooperatives, MinDA TienDA outlets will be established on the first quarter of 2020 in all earthquake affected areas which would be owned and managed by the victims themselves,” MinDA Chair Emmanuel F. Piñol said. MinDA is also looking for partners that will help provide funding for the outlets. — Carmelito Q. Francisco