ZAMBOANGA CITY, November 4, 2021 – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 reaffirmed its excellence in the implementation of its Kabuhayan Program when it won major and special awards in the virtual Kabuhayan Awards 2021 hosted by the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns held on November 3, 2021.
The DOLE Kabuhayan Awards is an annual event which aims to recognize and reward outstanding DOLE-assisted livelihood projects and showcase their best practices to serve as an inspiration to other beneficiaries. It also recognizes partners as well as DOLE regional offices and their livelihood focal persons for their contributions in implementing the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or Kabuhayan Program.
A major win for Region 9, livelihood beneficiary Mohammad Ali Sangkula’s Baking and Pastry Project in Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay won Best Individual Livelihood Project (Champion).
Meanwhile, DOLE 9 bagged back to back awards as Best Performing Region in TUPAD Implementation and Sustainable Livelihood Framework Implementation.
Adding to the roster of wins is Ms. Jacqueline Enriquez, Senior Labor and Employment Officer, who reaped the Best Regional Focal for Livelihood Award.
The awards body also recognized provincial focal persons in each region for their exemplary performance in the implementation of the DILP in Region 9: Ms. Aileen Mondejar, Senior LEO won Best TUPAD Focal in Region 9, Ms. Edyll Grace Poligrates, Senior LEO, was awarded as Best DILP Focal. Ms. Annie Rose Pajulas was also recognized as Regional TUPAD Focal.
The Local Government Unit of Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay was also highlighted as Best LGU i with Batu Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BAFAMCO) as Best Accredited Co-Partner in the implementation of the DILP in Region 9.
“The entire DOLE 9 family celebrates these wins as milestones which solidifies our commitment to excellent service delivery. We are grateful to our partners as well for always supporting our programs and services. We shall continue to work tirelessly to help the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers attain a better quality of life,” said Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE 9 Regional Director.
Meanwhile, DOLE 9 awarded Dumingag Transport Cooperative (DUTRANSCO) as Regional Winner for Group Livelihood Project Category for its Automotive and Repair Services Shop.
In her message during a separate awarding ceremony for Regional winners, Assistant RD Imelda F. Gatinao likened DOLE 9’s experiences with that of a pencil where the agency left a mark that will be remembered by the beneficiaries as they have always been at the forefront of DOLE’s programs and services.
Winners of the Kabuhayan Awards went home with cash prizes and trophies. ###