DOLE RO6 supports market vendors, livestock raisers

The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 (DOLE-RO6) extended a P797,760 livelihood assistance to 40 members of Pangpang Market Vendors and Livestock Raisers Association located at Brgy Pampang, Sibalom, Antique.

Facilitated by the Antique Field Office, DOLE-RO6 Regional Director Cyril L. Ticao turned over the check to Punong Barangay Fredy B. Andigan in the presence of the barangay officials and beneficiaries in a simple ceremony on August 21, 2020.

The financial assistance will support the cattle and swine fattening, sari-sari store, carinderia, food vending and frozen foods retail projects of selected members of the association.

The livelihood projects aim to increase by 10% the income of the marginalized beneficiaries who are mostly farmers, farm laborers, self-employed workers earning insufficient income, senior citizens and women.

The livelihood assistance will also generate additional self-employment opportunities in the community especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dir. Ticao is optimistic on the economic impact that such projects will bring to the community. “Through these various income-generating projects to be individually managed by selected beneficiaries, the barangay can also develop micro-enterprises within its area and will gradually pave the way for its economic growth and the empowerment of its constituents particularly the women,” explained Dir. Ticao.

Of the 40 beneficiaries, 20 will engage in cattle fattening, 6 in sari-sari store and 10 in swine fattening. Other qualified members will venture in carinderia, food vending and frozen foods retail businesses.  The members will also be enrolled in micro-insurance through GSIS – Group Personal Accident Insurance Program for additional protection and security.

To ensure the sustainability of the various livelihood projects, technical assistance such as project management and simple bookkeeping and accounting will be continually provided to the beneficiaries, regular monitoring will be conducted and quarterly progress reports will be required from the proponent barangay.