70 marginalized workers get P2-M aid from DOLE

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Seventy marginalized workers from the two municipalities of Capiz received a P2-million grant from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE-Region 6, through its Capiz Field Office, released the checks that were earmarked for various livelihood projects of workers from Pontevedra and Panay towns.

In Pontevedra, 35 food vendors benefitted from the P1 million worth of Negokart which will provide wider coverage for selling their goods.

Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., DOLE-6 regional director, said the NegoKart will provide mobility and enhance existing small businesses of the food vendors.

He said that the agency is hopeful that it will result in an increase in their income.

On the other hand, more diverse livelihood projects that suit the needs and expertise of sixteen farmers, ten fisher folks, and nine food vendors from the Municipality of Panay were provided to enhance their livelihood.

The P1 million assistance was used to provide fishing gear/equipment for fisherfolks while a turtle power tiller machine was given to each farmer-beneficiary.

Those with business inclination opted for sari-sari stores inputs and NegoKarts.

Rodriguez said the assistance was relative to DOLE’s mandate in helping alleviate the economic condition of the vulnerable sectors

He also emphasized the need to assist the beneficiaries whose livelihoods were also affected by Typhoon Odette.

DOLE-6, in partnership with Pinuno Partylist, provided assistance for the projects to assist the micro-small-scale businesses to recover and bounce back after being hit by the typhoon.

Joselito de la Banda, DOLE-Capiz head, represented Rodriguez in releasing the checks. He encouraged the beneficiaries to take care of their livelihood as this will be the source of their daily sustenance.

He underscored that the DOLE is just providing assistance but it is the beneficiaries’ responsibility to work hard towards livelihood sustainability, enhancement, and diversification which will uplift their economic status and alleviate them from poverty.

John Mandario, DOLE-6 public information officer, said that the assistance is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or KABUHAYAN Program.

Kabuhayan is a flagship program of the DOLE that provides grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood and entrepreneurial ventures for vulnerable and marginalized workers.

Kabuhayan is considered as the agency’s contribution to the government’s agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and substantial poverty reduction.

The program seeks to reduce the vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers by providing them access to a grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood ventures either for individual or group undertakings.

Mandario said DILP is implemented either through Direct Administration by the DOLE Regional Offices or through an Accredited Co-Partner (ACP).

In the case of Pontevedra and Panay marginalized workers, their respective local government unit is the agency’s partner.

As partners, they would be providing a 20 percent counterpart to the grant given.

Mandario said the counterpart is not necessarily in the form of cash.

After the implementation, monitoring will be subsequently done.