ZAMBOANGA CITY – Thirty-eight (38) women-beneficiaries from barangays in the West Coast of Zamboanga City were provided with livelihood assistance through the Department of Labor and Employment’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) on December 2, 2019 at the Zamboanga Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (ECOZONE) Conference Room, Sitio San Ramon, Talisayan.

Director Domingo shared that the DILP aims to provide assistance to the informal sector or marginalized self-employed workers with insufficient income. The program is a form of DOLE intervention that seeks to contribute to poverty reduction through promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises.

Out of the total beneficiaries, 26 were provided with baking starter kits while 12 were given cooking starter kits. The beneficiaries consist of women who are solo parents, housewives, senior citizens and indigenous peoples.

Dr. Myl Amsid, ZAMBOECOZONE Deputy Administrator for Operation and Planning, in his welcome remarks, thanked the DOLE for implementing programs that benefit the public. He also congratulated the beneficiaries and encouraged them to sustain their livelihood enterprise.

To further equip beneficiaries with knowledge on the DILP, Labor and Employment Officer Joni Sarina Mejico shared the program’s salient features. Meanwhile, Department of Trade and Industry Senior Trade and Industry Development Officer Emmanuel Santos discussed Business Name registration and Entrepreneurship.

Pag-Ibig Fund and the Social Security System programs and benefits were discussed by Member Services Officer Maryjoy Alhindawi and Social Security Officer Jerico Jan Bustamante, respectively.

ZAMBOECOZONE PESO Manager Joselito Nuevo shared programs and services that may availed from the PESO as well as Occupational Safety and Health concerns.

Beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to DOLE for the livelihood starter kits they received. END/With reports from Joni Sarina Mejico, LEO-III, TSSD