DOLE-10 grants 17M livelihood aid to Bukidnon workers

MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment released a total of P17,665,000 livelihood grants to underprivileged workers under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or Kabuhayan Program from the various barangays in Bukidnon province for the First Semester of 2023.

 

Bukidnon Provincial Field Office (BukPFO) Chief Raul Valmores said that for the first semester of 2023, DILP has assisted 1,380 beneficiaries from the different municipalities of Bukidnon with the primary purpose of starting, improving, or restoring livelihood projects.

 

 “Low-income earners, former rebels, persons who used drugs, and parents of child laborers are among the 1,380 beneficiaries. We also have an ongoing orientation, profiling, and evaluation of potential beneficiaries, so expect that the number of the beneficiaries will increase by the next quarter," Valmores explained. 

 

Twenty (20) associations consisting of 653 beneficiaries, 701 parents of child laborers, and 26 low-income earners received their livelihood grants, including those engaged in the business of agricultural supply, chicken broilers production, crop production, livestock fattening, and consumer store, among other projects.

 

"We urge the beneficiaries to make the most of the livelihood assistance entrusted to them. They are very fortunate. Their big responsibility is taking care of their livelihood projects," Valmores added. 

 

Vicente Caguimbaga Jr., President of First San Miguel Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Farmers Association (First SMARBEFA), thanked the government for the livelihood support.

 

“Kami sa among asosasyon, mapasalamaton sa DOLE kay pinaagi niini madugangan among panginabuhian. Kani nga proyekto amo gyud ning alimahan aron mudagayday kini kada isa amo.”

 

(We are grateful to DOLE because these will help us earn additional income. We will keep this up to ensure its long-lasting impact).

 

The First SMARBEFA, composed of agrarian reform beneficiaries and farmers who are also Indigenous Peoples, received P250,000 in grants for their Rice Trading project, which serves as supplementary income during the pre-harvest season.

 The Department of Labor and Employment-Bukidnon Provincial Field Office

(BukPFO) Community Facilitator Clebel Guinayon (left), Sumilao Public Employment Service

Office (PESO) Manager Cyril John Noval and Accredited Co-Partner Valencia Rural

Improvement Multi-Purpose Cooperative (VRI-MPS) Amparo Magdadaro, gather for a keepsake snapshot during the turnover of livelihood project to 25 parents of child laborers worth

P375,000.00 at Sumilao, Bukidnon. (CRG/DOLE 10-BukPFO)

Likewise, the Abag Kalambuan Inc. and Valencia Rural Improvement Multi-Purpose Cooperatives are accredited co-partners in project implementation. They are in charge of canvassing and purchasing the materials, inputs, and equipment needed to make the business undertakings fully operational.

 

DILP Focal Mark Anthony Combong emphasized that the qualified beneficiaries under the program are those who are poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers in the informal and formal sectors. 

 

He said interested applicants may visit the DOLE-X Bukidnon Provincial Office or coordinate with the Public Employment Service Office from their municipalities.

 

DILP, or the Kabuhayan Program of DOLE, is a flagship program of the agency that aims to help marginalized groups such as self-employed workers, unpaid family workers, low-waged and seasonal workers, displaced or would-be displaced workers, marginalized and landless farmers, marginalized fisherfolk, women and youth, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, indigenous peoples, victims of armed conflicts, rebel returnees, and parents of child laborers. 

 

Through this government intervention, the beneficiaries can address their long-term needs.  (MAJC/KCP/DOLE 10-BukPFO/PIA 10/Bukidnon)

 Lambo Damulog! DOLE-Bukidnon Provincial Field Office Chief Raul L. Valmores (2nd from left) and Damulog Mayor Melino Buro (2nd from right), together with PESO Manager Andrei Jamisola, Abag Kalambuan Inc., Chairperson Beinvenido Narciso, and an official from the Maayong Lakang sa Barangay Association, show the “Lambo sa Damulog” hand sign during the turnover of P500,000 for the association’s Consumer Store Project under the DOLE’s DILP.  (PSN/DOLE 10- BukPFO)