A total of P184,171 worth of livelihood kits were distributed by the Department of Labor and Employment – MIMAROPA Region through its Romblon Provincial Office to seven (7) beneficiaries of their livelihood program last April 14-15.
Individual livelihood grant beneficiaries were from Odiongan, Looc, and San Jose.
According to the DOLE-Romblon, this program is in line with the government’s mandate to improve the socioeconomic status of marginalized individuals in the community such as local business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, DOLE Romblon Provincial Director, Dr. Carlo B. Villaflores said that the part of the beneficiaries now is to develop and enhance their skills, and knowledge and widen their market, to earn profit from the kits the department provided.
“Inaasahan ng pamahalaan na magagamit ninyo sa wastong pamamaraan ang ipinagkatiwala sa inyong mga kagamitan at maging instrumento ito nang pagbabago ng inyong katayuan sa buhay,” according to Villaflores.
The beneficiaries’ chosen individual projects include a clothing line and T-shirt printing, a tailoring business, fishing paraphernalia, banana chips, a restaurant business, welding, and vulcanizing shop.
The financial assistance extended to the beneficiaries was borne out of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).
In an interview, DILP beneficiary from Odiongan, Mary Ann Perez thanked the department and the LGU for assisting with her request for a tailoring machine and other materials for her tailoring business.
“Ang livelihood grant na aking natanggap ay isang patunay na ang inyong kagawaran ay dedikado na maipaabot sa mga mahihirap at nangangailangan ang maayos na trabaho sa pamamagitan nang pagkakaloob ng negosyo. Ang inyong pagkakaloob ng starter kits para sa aking patahian ay isang hudyat para muling makabalik sa pag-aaral ang aking dalawang kolehiyong anak na napahinto dahil sa kakulangang pinansyal,” according to Perez.
The DILP seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of the working poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers either through emergency employment or the promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises. It also provides a working capital solely for the purchase of equipment, tools, jigs, and other raw materials to be used in their livelihood undertakings. — with reports from Francis Rey Mondia
