Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The Department of Labor and Employment – Cagayan Field Office spearheaded the awarding of livelihood assistance of DOLE Starter Kit Program by Admin amounting P694, 643.55 to 24 underemployed and disadvantaged workers from Tuguegarao, Penablanca, Enrile, and Sto. Niño to alleviate unemployment and uplift the quality of life of underemployed workers in Cagayan. 

The beneficiaries opted to venture into rice and feed retailing for their livelihood projects as the promising business enterprise in the province. Each beneficiary received their raw materials and necessary equipment amounting to P30,000.00.  

Before the awarding of the Starter Kits, a Basic Training Course on Business and Work Improvement was conducted by the DOLE-CFO Livelihood team to capacitate the beneficiaries in managing their micro-business enterprise. Sessions on Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF), Occupational Safety and Health training, basic marketing, production and management, and basic bookkeeping were thoroughly discussed. 

DOLE-CFO Acting Supervising Labor and Employment Officer and DILP Focal Person Ms. Liezel Magno emphasized the sustainability of livelihood projects awarded is subjected to the beneficiaries’ keenness to develop it and that the beneficiaries should aim to expand it to cater more to the needs of their communities and generate more jobs.

“Nakasalalay na po sainyo ang pagpapalago ng inyong mga negosyo. Sana mas palaguin niyo pa po ito at mas palawakin para mas matugunan niyo po ang pangangailangan ng inyong komunidad at makapag hatid pa ng mga trabaho,” Ms. Magno said.

Meanwhile, DOLE-CFO DILP Alternate Focal Person Marissa Corales encouraged the beneficiaries to give their best to improve the awarded livelihood projects to avail the enhancement program that DOLE grants to beneficiaries who can maximize their livelihood projects. 

“Sana po gawin natin yung best natin na palaguin o mas mapag buti pa itong pangkabahuyan para mabigyan po kayo ng pagkakataon na makakuha ng enhancement program ng DOLE,” she said.

DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program or Kabuhayan Program is a flagship program of DOLE which seeks to contribute in substantial poverty reduction by providing capacity building on livelihood ventures either for individual or group undertaking, promoting entrepreneurship and community enterprise. ###