DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) -- Transporting passengers was the sole source of income in the past for the 80 members of Metro Dumaguete Motorcab Operators and Driver’s Association (MEDUMODA).

However, with the livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the drivers’ group now has their own machine shop and services business.

MEDUMODA president Rolando Anadon said the group received jigs, materials, and equipment worth P1 million from DOLE.

“Over 30 years of driving, kini na business dugay na namong gihandom na gihatag sa gobyerno na nakatabang kaayo namo,” said Anadon. 

(In over 30 years of driving, we have long dreamt of putting up this business, and now the government has helped us realize it.) 

He said they would no longer have to suffer from the high prices that they used to incur when availing of the services from the other machine shops.

“Dako kaayo among kalipay sa tabang, ug nagpasalamat kami sa Dole sa pagsalig kanamo niini na project,” said Anadon.

(We are very happy for this assistance and would like to thank DOLE for trusting us on this project.)

DOLE has granted the motorcab drivers and operators and some vendors in Dumaguete City a total of P1.5 million worth of livelihood assistance.

Boost in flower vending business

The 22 members of the association of vendors of plants and flowers in the city also received a boost in their business in time for the Valentine’s Day celebration in February. 

DOLE has released a check worth P500,000 to the association through its president, Nieves Sardan, as their additional capital.

The vendors have been selling different kinds of flowers, such as roses, daisies, orchids, gardenia, and tulips among others, at the Dumaguete City Public Market.

“Nalipay jud mi kaayo kay dako’g tabang kini dili lamang dugang sa puhunan usab dugang income alang sa among tagsa-tagsa ka pamilya na kinahanglanon sa eskwela, balon sa mga bata,” said Sardan. 

(We are very happy, as this would be a big help not only for our investment but also for additional income for each family and to help pay for school expenses.)

She said the government, through DOLE, has helped the flower vendors who fall under the category of small entrepreneurs.

DOLE information officer designate Raizza Rubia said the agency also provided one-year insurance coverage to the beneficiaries through the Government Service Insurance System. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)