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Bello awards PHP3.8-M DOLE livelihood assistance to 320 Zambaleños

MANILA, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has distributed PHP3.8 million worth of livelihood assistance to some 320 people in Zambales over the weekend.

In a statement Thursday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the livelihood assistance was sourced from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) which includes Negosyo sa Kariton (NegoKart) Projects and DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits.

The beneficiaries received the government aid at the Rizal Triangle, Olongapo City from the DOLE chief together with Rep. Jeffrey Khonghun and Mayor Raulen Paulino.

Initial distribution of 50 NegoKarts amounting to some PHP750,000 were given. The beneficiaries were ambulant vendors, 25 from Subic town and 25 from Olongapo City, that may engaged in either enhanced or start-up roving cart businesses with add-on items like fishballs, squidballs, kikiam, “kakanin,” and merienda foods.

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione said that NegoKarts beneficiaries have underwent the DOLE’s Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) to ensure the proper management of their businesses.

“Each vendor-beneficiary was provided with a total of PHP15,000 in livelihood assistance. This consists of a vending cart and accessory livelihood tools costing PHP12,500, along with a working capital amounting to PHP2,500,” she explained.

Likewise, Bello awarded over PHP2 million livelihood check for 100 NegoKarts to ambulant vendors. Of the said total, the amount of PHP1,500,000 was provided through the Municipality of Subic’s bottom-up budgeting (BUB).

On the other hand, the remaining PHP500,000, will be for starter kits to benefit 100 marginalized individuals.

The kits are start-up carry-on businesses which include slipper retail, manicure, pedicure, foot spa, hair cutting, massage therapy, and other health and wellness businesses.

Another PHP1,050,000 livelihood check, released through the Olongapo City Government’s BUB, will be for 70 NegoKarts to benefit ambulant vendors residing in the city.

At the same time, Bello urged the beneficiaries to manage their livelihood projects in hopes of transforming them into sustainable businesses.

“Ang tulong pangkabuhayan na ibinahagi po sa inyo ng DOLE, tulad nitong mga NegoKarts at Starter Kits, ay isang tuloy-tuloy na hakbang ng gobyerno sa pagbibigay ng alternatibong pagkakakitaan at pangkabuhayan para sa ating mga kababayan upang maitaas nila ang antas ng kanilang pamumuhay at higit sa lahat ay makatulong sa kanilang mga pamilya. Pahalagaan ninyo ito at pagyamanin,” he said in a statement.

For his part, Paulino, on behalf of his fellow local leaders, thanked Bello for personally handing out the livelihood assistance to their respective constituents.

“First time po na mismo ang ating butihing Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Paggawa at Paghahanapbuhay pa ang bumaba para ipagkaloob ang mga NegoKarts at Starter Kits na ito sa mga kababayan namin dito sa Olongapo at Subic, kaya maraming maraming salamat po Secretary Bello sa inyong oras sa pagbibigay pansin sa aming mga kababayan,” he added.

Meanwhile, Luzviminda Gimeo, one of the beneficiaries said the livelihood assistance is the best gift to receive at the start of the New Year.

"Napakalaking tulong po sa amin ang ganitong klaseng proyekto dahil ito po ay makakapagbigay na sa amin ng garantisadong arawang kita mula PHP200.00 hanggang PHP500.00 o higit pa, depende po kung may mahalagang okasyon dito sa aming bayan, kaya maraming maraming salamat po sa DOLE at umasa po kayo na ito po ay aming pagyayamanin,” she added. (PNA)

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