The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will train quake victims in North Cotabato and Davao del Sur on livelihood and financial management in preparation for the rolling out of MinDA Tienda in 2020. (PNA)

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will conduct capability trainings on financial management and livelihood opportunities for earthquake victims in Davao Region and Cotabato through the MinDA Tienda project.

MinDA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the agency is developing a post-disaster intervention project that will help quake victims become self-reliant and independent from dole outs as they rebuild their lives following the series of earthquakes.

“The relief assistance and dole outs won’t last for long,” Piñol said.

The aftermath of earthquakes will have longer effects on the lives of the individuals especially those who will be relocated and uprooted from their communities, Piñol added.

He said after the capability training on financial literacy and livelihood, they will be organized into associations and cooperatives.

Piñol further said that MinDA TienDA outlets will be established by the first quarter of 2020 in all earthquake-affected areas which would be owned and managed by the quake victims.

“This new advocacy that MinDA is introducing could be the first of its kind in the history of post-disaster interventions in the country”, Pinol said.

The MinDA TienDA outlets will serve as monuments of the Filipino resilience and spirit of self-reliance amidst disasters and calamities.

MinDA will also seek the support of development partners in providing funds for capitalization for the operation of the MinDA TienDA outlets.

MinDA TienDA was first held in North Cotabato last month. It will move to Davao del Sur this month particularly in Bansalan town on 16 to 18 November and in Digos City on 21 to 23 November. (PNA)