QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led the provision of livelihood opportunities among the informal sectors in the city of Manila on Tuesday, May 23, at the San Andreas Sports Complex.
The localized implementation of the DOLE-assisted livelihood project is central to the celebration of the 2023 Labor Day for workers in the informal sector with a theme “Pabahay, Bilihing Abot-Presyo, Benepisyo ng Matatag na Trabaho para sa Manggagawang Pilipino.”
A total of 104 selected beneficiaries composed of ambulant vendors, street sweepers, small transport operators, and project-based construction workers were awarded with microenterprises that they can use for income-generating activities.
These include rice retailing, carwash business, food carts, and tailoring business.
“Lahat pong ito ay naglalayong makatulong sa inyong mga pamilya na magkaroon ng isang maayos, regular, at isang matagumpay na negosyo (All of these aim to help your families have a secure, regular, and successful business),” said Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairperson for Basic Sectors Ruperto Aleroza of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) reminded the grantees to make their business thrive towards achieving income security.
“Sana po huwag natin sayangin, atin pong payabungin ang tulong na ‘yan na ipinagkakaloob sa atin ng ating pamahalaan upang ito ay magawa rin sa iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan (Please do not take advantage of this opportunity but rather grow it so we can extend a similar opportunity to other sectors of society),” said Vice Chairperson Aleroza.
On the other hand, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma expressed gratitude to partner agencies from the national government, private sectors such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and international development partners especially the International Labor Organization (ILO) who also aided in the realization of this job generation initiative.
The secretary of the national labor department likewise recognized the contribution of the informal sector to the country’s thrust towards a sustainable and inclusive economic recovery.
“Sana po ay pagyamanin ninyo ang tulong na ipinagkakaloob po sa inyo ng pamahalaan. Iyon po ang makakatulong upang maiangat ang antas ng inyong pamumuhay (I hope you can thrive this livelihood opportunity that is granted by the national government. This will help you improve your standard of living),” said Secretary Laguesma, emphasizing the inclination of national government agencies to pool their resources in order to provide better livelihood opportunities to the country’s economic sectors.
The DOLE also shared that its agency is currently formulating a holistic labor and employment plan anchored on the 2023 - 2028 Philippine Development Plan’s (PDP) strategy to improve the income-earning abilities of Filipinos by generating more quality jobs. (PIA-NCR)
