GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 has recently released some PHP2 million worth of livelihood grants to marginalized workers in South Cotabato province.
Arlene Bisnon, DOLE-12 assistant director, said Monday the assistance is part of the area’s allocation this year for the continuing implementation of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).
She said they turned over the check worth PHP2,049,199 to the municipal government of Tantangan, which serves as the agency’s local co-partner for the initiative.
“It will benefit at least 147 individuals in the area (Tantangan) who are self-employed with insufficient income,” she said in a statement.
Bisnon said the assistance will be given to the beneficiaries in the form of livelihood starter kits for various small business ventures that were chosen by the beneficiaries themselves.
These are for dressmaking, vulcanizing, welding, car wash and auto repair, carpentry, furniture making, massage services, cosmetology/manicure, vegetable gardening, beauty care, food vending (fried chicken, siomai, balut, barbeque, halo-halo), kakanin production, eatery, baking and food processing.
As part of the program, the beneficiaries will undergo trainings and seminars to ensure that their ventures will be sustained and prosper.
Bisnon lauded the local government of Tantangan for partnering with the agency and supporting the rollout of their programs and services in the area.
She said the municipal government has committed to help monitor the progress of the livelihood projects.
“It’s a welcome news for us. We want the beneficiaries to be successful with their chosen business ventures,” she said.
DILEEP is one of the flagship programs of DOLE that focuses on improving the lives of marginalized workers in local communities.
It seeks “to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers through self-employment or livelihood undertaking.” (PNA)
