ARAKAN, Cotabato Province (PIA) -- As part of its continuing mandate to help vulnerable workers gain employment and entrepreneurial opportunities especially during pandemic, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 12 recently awarded a total of P3.193 million worth of DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) checks and starter kits to 164 beneficiaries in this municipality. 

DOLE 12 Regional Director Raymundo Agravante led the handover of checks and starter kits to beneficiaries in the said municipality on July 29.  He was assisted by North Cotabato Field Office Head Marjorie Latoja. 

A check for P1.422 M was released to the barangay local government unit of Datu Mantangkil for 74 livelihood aid recipients. 

Another check for P707,006 was  turned over to BLGU Ma. Caridad for 35 DILP beneficiaries. 

At the same event, 55 individuals from Barangay Binoongan also received materials to start their enterprises of choice.  The starter kits amount to an aggregate total of P1.064 M.  

Among the livelihood projects the beneficiaries will put up are food vending (balut, street foods, litson manok, banana cue), barber shop, hollow block-making, carpentry, beauty care, cakes and pastries, dress making, car wash services, halo-halo, dressmaking, vulcanizing, and furniture making. 

"Kinanglan gid namon karon ang bulig pangkabuhayan projects sang DOLE kay pigado gid tungod sa pandemya," said beneficiary Edelberto Lovino.

(We really need the DOLE livelihood projects now that we are experiencing economic crisis especially this time of pandemic.)

In his message, Director Agravante conveyed Secretary Silvestre "Bebot" Bello's mission to help more workers and ease the impact of COVID-19 pandemic through the provision of DOLE flagship programs.

"Hangad ng aming masigasig na Secretay Bebot Bello na matulungan maging ang mga indibidwal na nasa malalayong lugar na higit na apektado ngayong may pandemya. Aasahan naming inyong mapalago ang kabuhayan projects at munting negosyong dagdag kita para sa pamilya," Agravante said. 

Present during the releasing of livelihood assistance  were Arakan Municipal Administrator Leonardo Reovoca, representing Mayor Rene Rubino, Sr., PESO Manager Helma Labao, and barangay officials. 

DILP is a flagship program of the DOLE which seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce vulnerabilty to risks of the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers either through emergency employment, promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises. (HAndersen/CDGamboa-DOLE XII/DED-PIA XII)