ZAMBOANGA CITY– Farmers in Labason, Zamboanga del Norte express gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 as they receive farming tools under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).In partnership with Local Government Unit of Labason and Public Employment Service Office (PESO), DOLE Zamboanga del Norte Field Office (ZDNFO) turned over the tools and jigs to 41 beneficiaries at Lopoc Evacuation Center, Lopoc, Labason, Zamboanga Del Norte on June 23, 2021.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE Regional Director, shared that the farming tools form part of the Kabuhayan Starter Kits (KSK) under the DILP. The KSK is a livelihood formation strategy that is intended to bring about improved socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal economy, in groups/sectors with special concerns, and displaced wage workers (local and overseas) and their families.

DOLE ZDNFO Chief Lourdes B. Amores said that prior to the turn-over, the beneficiaries were oriented on Financial Literacy and Occupational Safety and Health.

LGU Labason Municipal Mayor Hon. Eddie T. Quimbo, in his message, relayed that the LGU launched the Enhanced Gasang Bahandianon sa Umahan (eGBU) to help farmers in the Municipality increase their produce and gain additional income.

“Through the EGBU Program, we have provided farmers with seedlings and technical assistance, however we observed that there is a need for farming tools, thus we turned to DOLE for its provision. we couldn’t thank DOLE enough for supporting our local farmers,” Mayor Quimbo said.

Labason Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC) served as DOLE’s accredited co-partner responsible for the direct delivery of services to the target beneficiaries.

LMPC Board of Director Egbert P. Calumba expressed his gratitude to DOLE for trusting them with many projects as ACP.

“LMPC has attained its mission as a cooperative – a dynamic, reliable organization committed to the socio-economic development of the people not just in Labason but also in the neighboring municipalities and it is thanks to DOLE that this was made possible,” BOD Calumba said.

“The starter kits will be used at our communal farm in Brgy. Osukan, where eggplant is the main product. We also plan to venture into Chili Paste Making. Thank you so much to all the government agencies that poured support and assistance into our farm,” said Mr. Ben Jhon Lagare, President of the EGBU Farmers Association.

The turn-over ceremony was part of DOLE’s Labor Month Celebration for Workers in the Informal Sector (WIS).