SOFRONIO ESPANOLA, Palawan -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Mimaropa through its Palawan Provincial Office had a partial turn-over ceremony of raw materials, tools, and equipment to INA Producers Cooperative with the help of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Sofronio Española last June 14. The cooperative applied for the DOLE’s livelihood program to continuously sustain their coconut oil production in Barangay Pulot Shore, Sofronio Española, Palawan.
DOLE funded the group’s livelihood project with an amount of P250,000 for needed raw materials, tools, and equipment. LGU Sofronio Española likewise gives other technical assistance to the group for their livelihood.
INA Producers Cooperative is the only local producer of coconut cooking oil and virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the municipality. Linda Mamah, Cooperative Chairperson, expressed her gratitude to DOLE and the LGU for providing the assistance they need. She also shares her plan to make their products part of LGU’s One Town, One Product (OTOP).
The DOLE-DILP or KABUHAYAN program provides livelihood assistance for the working poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers, either for individual or group livelihood projects/undertakings, with the following components:
1. Kabuhayan Formation, enables the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers in the informal and formal economies to start individual or group livelihood undertakings;
2. Kabuhayan Enhancement, enables existing livelihood undertakings to grow into viable and sustainable businesses that provide income at least at par with those of the minimum wage earners;
3. Kabuhayan Restoration, enables the re-establishment of lost or damaged livelihoods due to the occurrence of natural disasters/calamities. (DOLE MIMAROPA)
Photo above: Present during the partial turn-over of materials are Sofronio Espanola Mayor Abner Rafael N. Tesorio (3rd from right); PESO Manager Rogelda P. Reyes (3rd from right); DOLE Palawan Workers Protection and Welfare Unit Head Renell G. Mayo (2nd from left); Livelihood Development Specialist Ms. Leyanita A. Comiday; and INA Producers Cooperative Chairperson Linda Mamah. (Photo: DOLE Palawan)
