QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of Labor & Employment-National Capital Region (DOLE-NCR) has recently granted some 749 beneficiaries with opportunities to start their small business ventures by giving them Certificates of Eligibility for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
DILP or Kabuhayan Program is one of DOLE’s flagship programs that provides assistance and capacity-building on livelihood and entrepreneurial endeavors for the vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized workers.
The beneficiaries may choose any one of these livelihood packages: Bigasan Package, Karenderia Package, Barbeque Package, Tailoring Package, Carwash Package, and Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-Kart) Packages.
The DOLE-NCR has profiled a total of 1,139 DILP beneficiaries in the region comprised of local organizations, informal workers, Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), Persons with Disability (PWDs), unemployed, groups of senior citizens, and other vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.
From the total beneficiaries, only 749 were expected to receive the assistance amounting to 21,770,000.00 pesos while 390 individuals, are scheduled for social preparation prior to their livelihood awarding.
Lucita Querencia, 58 years old sari-sari store owner and grantee of Bigasan Package, expressed her delight over the livelihood assistance saying it will be a source of an additional income for her and her family.
“Maliit lang talaga ‘yung tindahan ko kaya kahit papaano ‘pag may bigas na ako, harinawa, mapalago’t mapaunlad ko ‘yun. Ma-dispose ko nang maayos, maka-ikot, at sana lumago,” she said.
A 47-year-old single mother Veronica Palma was also thankful for the Bigasan Package saying she is very much hopeful that the livelihood assistance can help her re-establish business and gain additional income for her family.
“Ngayon, halos wala akong income sa business. [Kaya’t] nag e-extra ako maglinis ng condo para maka-survive sa araw-araw dahil wala akong katulong. Pero ‘yung inaasahan ko na bigasan na ibibigay sa amin, baka iyon po ang maging start para makapag-umpisa na ulit ng business,” Palma said. (dole-ncr/pia-ncr)
