DOLE fuses earning and learning opportunities for out-of-school youths

Hitting two birds with one stone.

This describes perfectly the P1,195,750 financial assistance provided by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the establishment of Sparcling Food Haus of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), Department of Education Division of Antique.

The project provides livelihood opportunity and a learning experience to out-of-school beneficiaries.

“DOLE is committed to help change the lives of out-of-school youths through various programs.  We believe that this livelihood project will provide financial assistance, and more importantly, learning and inspiration to the beneficiaries,” said DOLE-RO No. VI Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao.

Ms. Corazon C. Tingson, OIC-DepEd Antique Asst. School Division Superintendent, conveyed her appreciation during the soft launching of the project. She said that “DOLE Kabuhayan Program integrates both learning and earning opportunities to the learners in the Alternative Learning System (ALS).”

Meanwhile, District ALS Coordinator Mr. Rodney L. Salinog shared the project’s big impact to the ALS learners, “The project gives opportunity to our ALS learners to earn while they are pursuing for the completion of the ALS program.”

More than livelihood, Kabuhayan Program provides hope and inspiration to the learners.

“Bahol gid ang nabulig ka project halin sa DOLE. Ga eskwela ako kag maka-obra at the same time (The project provided by DOLE helped a lot; I am learning and working at the same time),” said 31-year-old Virgiemae Anabo, who works as a food server at Sparcling Food Haus.

Anabo, who only finished 1st year in high school because of poverty, hopes that the project could help her graduate and change her life and that of her nine-year old child. The livelihood project inspired her to pursue training on cooking as soon as she finishes the ALS program.

Dr. Anita S. Gubalane, DepEd Education Program Supervisor, looks forward that the undertaking will be instrumental in the empowerment of the out-of-school youths particularly the ALS learners. Being one who initiated and pushed for the project, she is confident of its sustainability and success.

The livelihood opportunity also encouraged the beneficiaries to finish secondary education to improve their lives.

“Salamat sa DOLE sa pagtugro sa amon ka project (Thank you DOLE for giving us the project),” a thankful Romeo Panaguiton said. The wages he received as a dishwasher sustained his studies. The 30-year old learner expressed his desires to finish the ALS Program and to undergo training in cooking and wiring installation. The income of his father who is an ice buko vendor was not enough to send him to high school.

Melisa S. Navarra, DOLE-Antique Field Office Head reminded the beneficiaries to take good care of the project. “If the project becomes successful, DOLE can provide additional financial assistance to enhance the Sparcling Food Haus.”

She is positive that the project will inspire them to dream big and will help them finish their studies.