ZAMBOANGA CITY, 25th July 2022 – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 in Zamboanga Sibugay distributed a total of 97 Negostalls and 18 Kabuhayan Starter Kits (KSKs) amounting to Php2,401,802.00 to ambulant vendor beneficiaries in the province for the month of July.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director said that the assistance is under DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program that opens economic opportunities to the vulnerable and marginalized workers by providing them access to grant assistance for capacity building on entrepreneurial ventures, for either individual or group undertaking.

“One such component is the provision of these functional negosyo stalls where food products may be displayed. Through this intervention, we are able to help beneficiaries’ augment their income by selling,” said RD Buenafe.

A large number of beneficiaries are ambulant vendors who already have the experience in selling food items such as kakanin, siomai and street food.

DOLE Sibugay Chief Elamsalih E. Ungad shared, of the 97 total Negostalls distributed, 35 were awarded to Mabuhay, Talusan and Olutanga beneficiaries, 10 negostalls to Payao beneficiaries, 10 to Alicia beneficiaries, 12 to Titay beneficiaries and 30 to Naga beneficiaries,

Meanwhile, of the 18 KSKs, 10 were awarded to Alicia beneficiaries and 8 to Titay beneficiaries.

RD Buenafe and Mayor Edreluisa O. Calonge personally turned over some of these negostalls to beneficiaries in Mabuhay town on July 19, 2022.

Aside from the actual stalls, the beneficiaries were also provided with additional tools, equipment, raw materials and merchandise as additional capital.

As a requirement, beneficiaries provided a 20% counterpart to the project by means of labor, space and existing tools and equipment.

“DOLE will continue to monitor the progress of these projects for sustainability and possible enhancement through additional financial grants,” RD Buenafe stressed.