DOLE extends livelihood assistance to mitigate COVID 19 impact

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) opened more livelihood opportunities to members of the marginalized sector and those displaced by COVID-19 to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

DOLE-6 through its Antique Field Office (AnFO) released recently P5,823,648 in financial assistance for various livelihood projects of the 292 members of San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SJMPC) at San Jose de Buenavista in the Province of Antique

“We see the current economic situation of the displaced and self-employed marginalized workers during these times of the pandemic,” DOLE-6 Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao said. “DOLE provided this assistance with empathy and compassion and we are positive that the livelihood projects could alleviate their living conditions.’’

One of the projects is the frozen foods retailing of 22 cooperative members. Mostly small vendors, each received a P20,000 worth of frozen foods package and are now starting to make their businesses grow.

Nancy Tejares, a self-employed person with disability (PWD), was elated upon receiving the merchandize.  “Salamat gid sa DOLE sa pagtugro kang livelihood project.  Hanggud gid nga bulig diya sa akon kag sa akon pamilya especially sa ka dya nga pandemya, (Thank you DOLE for the project. This is a big help for my family during these times of the pandemic),” said Tejares, whose husband recently died due to a disease.

For Noel de la Peña, the livelihood assistance came as a blessing and very timely for a displaced worker like him who just lost his job as a contractual worker.  According to him, the frozen food package is a big lift to his online selling business now that he is jobless.

AnFO Head Carmela Abellar challenged the beneficiaries to be responsible in managing the livelihood projects provided to them. ‘Not everyone has the opportunity to receive such kind of support from the government.  What gives us satisfaction as public servants is to see our beneficiaries taking care of the projects entrusted to them and seeing it grow’.

SJMPC Chair Rodalyn Llavan thanked DOLE for the assistance.

“During this time of crisis, we helped our members avail of various livelihood projects from the government through our partnership with DOLE.” She also encouraged the members to be responsible and to take care of what was entrusted to them by the government.

Other beneficiaries also engaged in various livelihood projects such as carinderia, refreshment, hog fattening and street food vending.