DOLE Provincial Head Elamsalih E. Ungad together with Mayor Amy C. Olegario of the Municipality of Ipil spearheaded the awarding of 50 Negostalls and 5 Negokarts to beneficiaries amounting to ₱1,395,000.00 last May 17, 2021 at Lower Taway Gym, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. The awarding of livelihood was held in observance of the 2021 Regional Labor Day Celebration for the Workers in the Informal Sector.

The goal of this livelihood program is to help beneficiaries augment their livelihood income by providing them with sturdy and beautifully designed stalls to display their food products. Mrs. Delia Padillo a recipient of Snacks Vending Negostall was teary-eyed in her message, “Dako nakong pasalamat sa DOLE ug sa LGU-Ipil sa paghatag ug pagtagad namong mga gagmayng mamumuo. Dako kaayo ning tabang sa among panginabuhian tungod kay nadungagan ang among capital ug nindot na among displayhanan.”

The beneficiaries were also provided with additional tools, equipment, and merchandise as additional capital. Learning sessions on Occupational Safety and Health, Social Media Marketing, Savings, and Budgeting were also given to beneficiaries. The Negostall project is a brainchild of DOLE Region 9, headed by Regional Director, Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, who seeks to improve the welfare and livelihood of the Workers in the Informal Sector.

On May 18, 2021, DOLE Negokarts were awarded to 35 beneficiaries from the Municipalities of R.T.Lim, Alicia, Kabasalan, Payao, Ipil, and Titay amounting to ₱1,015,000.00. DOLE-ZSFO Provincial Head, Elamsalih E. Ungad lead the turnover ceremony and was witnessed by Mr. Feliciano Arambala from the Provincial Governor’s Office, Provincial PESO Manager Ms. Nelsie Lazo, and PESO Managers of R.T.Lim, Alicia, Kabasalan, Payao.

The project aims to assist the ambulant vendors in making their existing livelihood undertakings grow into profitable and sustainable businesses thus, making their income level at par with that of the minimum wage earners, at the least.