DOLE chief leads distribution of livelihood opportunities to Iloilo’s informal sector

The wide-reaching services of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) finds its way augmenting the livelihood of displaced market vendors and to provide employment opportunities to members of the informal sector in the City and Province of Iloilo.

No less than DOLE Sec. Silvestre H. Bello III graced the turn-over of carts under the NegoKart Project benefitting fifty (50) market vendors who were displaced by the renovations of Jaro Big Market and Mandurriao Market.

Each cart cost Php19,000 or a total project cost of Php952,000.

‘Salamat sa DOLE,” said Manong Toto, a beneficiary. “’Pinaagi sa NegoKart makabaligya  ako sang bananacue kag iban nga pagkaon para sa palangabuhi-an sang akon pamilya. (With the NegoKart I can sell bananacue and other foods for the livelihood of my family.)”

Aside from the NegoKart, Sec. Bello also committed to provide more employment opportunities under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Speaking before the one hundred eighty (180) punong barangays in the City of Iloilo, Secretary Bello said that more beneficiaries coming from every barangay will benefit from the program.

“We have rolled out Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) to cushion the impact of the pandemic to the informal sector. We also have other programs to help the overseas Filipino workers and other labor sectors get back on their feet,” Bello shared.

During the briefing on DOLE and OWWA initiatives in response to the COVID 19 pandemic in Western Visayas, Sec. Bello also committed to create more employment opportunities under the TUPAD program in the Province of Iloilo.

“The livelihood assistance and employment opportunities brought by Sec. Bello is a reflection of the genuine concern of DOLE to the labor sector. We hope that the assistance will keep the workers in the right track and will improve their living conditions,” said DOLE RO No. VI Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao.

Department of Budget and Management Sec. Wendel Avisado who was also with Sec. Bello in the visit said that the projects are part of the present administration’s thrust to give back to the people the taxes they pay. “The local governments come first,” said Avisado.

Sec. Avisado and Sec. Bello visited Iloilo to show that the Duterte Administration is seriously committed to improve the lives of the members of the labor sector.