KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has provided some P5.2 million for marginalized workers in the Soccsksargen region under their flagship DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or KABUHAYAN Program.

Charlene Frances Hallegado, DILP regional focal revealed that for the 1st quarter of 2023, DOLE already assisted 209 beneficiaries from different municipalities and provinces.

“So far, nakapag-assist na po tayo ng 209 beneficiaries amounting to P5.2 million and marami pa po kaming on-going na profiling and assessment ng business plans. Hopefully, madagdagan pa po ang ating numero ng mabibigyan ng assistance under the DILP program,” Hallegado said.

Hallegado explained that DILP is a grant assistance to individuals, groups, and local government units (LGUs) with the main purpose of starting, improving, or restoring livelihood projects.

Qualified under the program are poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers in the informal and formal sector.

Last year, according to Hallegado, DOLE XII was hailed as one of the Top 5 performing regions in the implementation of DILP nationwide.

“We assisted 3,709 beneficiaries amounting to 63,530,000 sa buong region 12 for the year 2022,” she said.

Interested applicants may visit the nearest DOLE Provincial Office or coordinate with the Public Employment Service Office in their municipalities. (PIA-XII)