KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- Over P1.5 million worth of livelihood kits under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) were given to 82 individuals, including recovering drug dependents, self-employed, and low-minimum wage workers in Tantangan town, this province.
DOLE-12 Regional Director Joel Gonzales, along with Mayor Timee Joy Torres-Gonzales and other local officials, led the distribution of the livelihood kits at the town’s municipal gymnasium.
"DILP isn't just about handouts," explained DOLE-12 Regional Director Gonzales. "It's about fostering self-reliance and creating opportunities for long-term economic growth. We want to see these individuals thrive, contribute to the local economy, and break the cycle of poverty," he added.
He said the livelihood packages were based on the chosen livelihood undertakings of the beneficiaries, which include eatery , dressmaking, car washing, welding, and vulcanizing services, among others.
Of the 82 beneficiaries, 12 are recovering drug dependents endorsed by their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC).
Rowell Umipig, who used to be a person who used drugs (PWUD), now finds a beacon of hope in the program's tools and equipment for his welding project.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat na walang sawang sumusuporta sa mga PWUDs na katulad ko. Sa mga kasama kong naligaw ng landas dati, magbago na tayo dahil ito na ang pagkakataon natin. Salamat din sa DOLE sa pagbigay ng pagkakataong tayo ay makapagsimula [Thank you very much to everyone who tirelessly supports PWUDs like me. To those who lost their way before, let's change because this is our chance. Thanks also to DOLE for giving us the opportunity to start],” Umipig said, as he encouraged other drug dependents to follow suit, rebuild their lives, and start anew.
Meanwhile, Mayor Torres-Gonzales also urged the beneficiaries to make sure to manage the grant well and take advantage of the assistance to improve their quality of life.
DILP is a flagship program of DOLE that aims to help marginalized groups such as self-employed workers who are unable to earn sufficient income, unpaid family workers, low-wage and seasonal workers, displaced workers, marginalized and landless farmers, marginalized fisherfolk, women and youth, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, indigenous peoples, victims of armed conflicts, rebel returnees, and parents of child laborers.
The program is poised further to reduce the vulnerabilities to risks of the poor and disadvantaged workers by providing them with grants to capacitate themselves and engage in significant livelihood ventures. (ORVR – PIA Region 12)
Related Article: https://pia.gov.ph/features/2024/01/19/dole-grant-helps-southern-leyte-fishball-vendor-bounce-back-from-distress