CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- A total of 52 individuals, mostly parents of child laborers in the city, received P1.56 million worth of livelihood grants from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Cagayan de Oro City through the department's integrated livelihood program (DILP) on February 13 at Kauswagan Gymnasium.

DOLE-CDO partnered with the JArts Skills Academy Assessment Center Inc. to facilitate the distribution of the livelihood grant amounting to P30,000 per beneficiary. With this, they aim to address various economic and social issues and contribute to the overall development and well-being of the workforce and the parents of child laborers. 

“We are happy because most of those beneficiaries who are here with us are parents of child laborers. Hinaot nga kining bigasan nga among ihatag mao ni ang mahimo nga instrumento nga inyong mga bata makapadayon og eskwela ug mabuhi isip usa ka normal na bata," said DOLE-CDO Field Office Chief Emmanuel Toledo. 

[Hopefully, the rice retail business we're providing will serve as a means for your children to continue their education and lead lives as typical children.]

Toledo also underscored his appreciation for JArts as an accredited co-partner and emphasized its role  in the success of the DILP, saying that if not for them, the turnover for the DILP would not be possible.

As the accredited co-partner, Jeneath L. Cuares, school administrator of JArts Academy, expressed her excitement for their fresh start, foreseeing a positive path for the beneficiaries. "Kung successful mo, successful sad ang JArts ug ang DOLE [If you succeed, JArts and DOLE succeed as well]," Cuares said, hoping that the beneficiaries will follow a similar path to success, starting with a small business that can flourish over time.

One of the beneficiaries, Zenida Daabay expressed her feelings for the opportunity she received, saying, “Dili nimo masabot imong gibati, happy jud kaayo mi. Dako kay ni siya'g matabang sa akoa. Actually mao man gyud ni akong pangandoy sauna, nag-apply ko ani adto pang 2021, pila katuig akong gihulat, karon niabot ra gyud siya."

[You may not understand how I feel, but we are truly happy. This is a significant help for me; actually, this has been my dream since before. I applied for this back in 2021, so I waited for several years, and now it has finally arrived]

As she emphasized the significance of fostering group trust in their initiatives, Zenida acknowledged the government's support. “Kung mahurot niya siya, i-rolling nako ang negosyo hantod sa mulambo, kay sa giingon pa sa DOLE nga pag nakita nila nga nilambo imong negosyo, tagaan na pud  ka'g lain nga additional nga negosyo."

[If all the goods are sold, I'll continue expanding the business. As DOLE mentioned, demonstrating growth in your business could lead to receiving additional business opportunities from them.]

The collaboration demonstrates a dedicated effort to break the cycle of child labor and provide sustainable opportunities for parents to build their livelihoods. With the livelihood turnover, Toledo said both organizations manifested their dedication to improving the quality of life for families in northern Mindanao. (RTP/PACR/PIA-10)