ZAMBOANGA CITY, October 25, 2021 – Fully vaccinated informal sector workers in Zamboanga Peninsula will receive bicycles and other delivery/vending equipment and tools from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 with the launch of the BikeCINATION Project.

This after the DOLE Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office (ZSFO) personnel Edyll Grace Poligrates and Jocelyn Buen turned over a check amounting to Php 1,625,000.00 to Ipil Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative (IMAVEMCO) on October 19, 2021. The said amount will benefit 65 beneficiaries from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Isabela de Basilan.

IMAVEMCO is one of DOLE’s Accredited Co-Partners identified to implement and monitor the progress of the project.

Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe shared that the BikeCINATION Project aims to incentivize workers who have completed the two doses of COVID-19 vaccines and at the same time cushion the impact of the pandemic to the workers in the informal sector.

“Through this project, DOLE will provide a package of assistance which includes a working capital in the form of equipment and tools for delivery/vending business, coverage to micro-insurance under the GSIS and training depending on the needs and requirements of the project.

The maximum amount of assistance is Php 25,000. This project is still a part of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, a grant assistance for entrepreneurial ventures for the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers,” Atty. Buenafe further explained.

The project likewise forms part of the National Employment Recovery Strategy, a medium term plan anchored on the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan which aims to facilitate safe and strong economic recovery amidst the pandemic. ###