ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Tulungatung Lower and Upper House Women’s Association (TLUHWA) opened their bakery to the public on February 18,2021 at the Women’s Communal Garden, Tulungatung, Zamboanga City.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 previously granted the association with livelihood assistance in the form of bakery equipment composed of a 12-plate oven, roller machine.refrigerator, stainless baking table, glass display cabinet, baking tools and raw materials amounting to a total of PHP 201, 192.50. 

DOLE 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that the grant is under the Department’s Integrated Livelihood Program which seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers either through promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises.

DOLE Zamboanga City Field Office Chief Ian A. Lahi and Senior Labor and Employment Officer Ma. Eloina Idris witnessed the soft opening of the bakeshop. 

“We will not stop helping our priority sector, all we ask is that they take care of the equipment provided for them and work to ensure the success of their enterprise,” Chief Lahi said in his opening message. 

The Local Government of Zamboanga City allotted 150-square meters at the Tulungatung Resettlement for the bakery while the Office of the 1st District Congressman Cesar “Jawo” L. Jimenez and the Rotary Club of Zamboanga City West led by Gil Lim assisted in the construction of the building. 

Association President Gemma Bahani expressed her gratitude saying, “Maraming salamat po sa DOLE at sa iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno sa tulong na ibinahagi niyo sa amin. Sisiguraduhin po namin na magiging maayos ang pamamalakad namin sa negosyong ito upang ito ay lumago at mas makatulong pa sa iba.” 

The TLUHWA is an all women-association which is one of DOLE’s priority sectors for provision of livelihood assistance. In consonance with this year’s celebration of Women’s Month, DOLE aims to empower this sector especially so that this year proved to be challenging as it is set in the COVID-19 pandemic backdrop. END