ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The association of flower vendors in this city got a boost in their business in time for the All Saints and All Souls Days observance.
This came about as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the intercession of District 1 Rep. Celso Lobregat, has granted them P1 million livelihood assistance.
Each of the members of the Latin City Flower Retailers Association (LC-Florea) received P20,000 worth of assistance in the form of flowers and flower foam. The association has 50 members.
“They (flower vendors) can use this (livelihood assistance) as their capital to sell flowers during the ‘Undas’,” Lobregat said. The livelihood assistance was released on Monday.
Lobregat recalled that earlier, he gave P100 to each of the LC-Florea members as “buena mano” in their seasonal business when they were relocated to the government-owned bagsakan center.
Previously, they were occupying the vacant space outside the Zamboanga Central School along Mayor Ledesma Road in Barangay Zone I.
He gladly noted that the national government, through DOLE, has helped in one way or the other the flower vendors who fall under the category of small entrepreneurs.
Roberto Apelo, LC-Florea president, said they were grateful over the timely capital assistance the DOLE has provided them.
Apelo said the assistance is a big boost to their means of livelihood. (PNA)
