Guimaras women receive sewing machine, tools for livelihood project

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 6 recently turned over five foot-operated and two high-speed sewing machines, one edging machine, various tools and raw materials worth P250,000 to 15 women-members of the Integrated Women Alliance of Guimaras (IWAG) in Poblacion, Nueva Valencia.

These women are unemployed/underemployed and dependent on the wages of their spouses who venture to various kinds of labor to support and sustain the needs of their families.

They completed a skills training conducted by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to enhance their craftsmanship in sewing.

Through this project, this women group will be able to start their business enterprise, build their confidence as income earner, and contribute in building the economy of the province, said DOLE Region 6 Director Cyril L. Ticao.

He added that this project will help augment their families’ income.

During the program, the beneficiaries as well as the local government officials of Nueva Valencia, the proponent of this project, were oriented on their responsibilities.

The DOLE Guimaras Field Office livelihood focal person reminded the proponent of their responsibility to submit to the DOLE office the liquidation report within 60 days after the equipment, tools and raw materials are completely turned-over to the identified beneficiaries.

He also reminded the beneficiaries of their responsibility to sustain the project with the guidance of the project monitoring team and to submit a report to the DOLEas to the project’s impact to their economic and financial needs.

Congresswoman Lucille L. Nava of the Lone District of Guimaras witnessed the turn-over ceremony.

In her message, Nava applauded the Department for its untiring efforts to provide livelihood to the marginalized sector of the community, especially the women.

She asked the beneficiaries to have a sense of ownership so that other members could benefit as well.

“Always think that this project is one step towards achieving your goals to become self-reliant and economic contributor to the local community. You are the first batch and are privileged to avail this project in your chapter and its success is very much dependent on each one of you,” Nava said.

Eva Emas who represented the Office of the Municipal Mayor of Nueva Valencia, assured the beneficiaries of the LGU’s full support by providing the beneficiaries the production facility. She also assured the beneficiaries of the LGU’s willingness to assist them in their future needs to facilitate the success of the project.