ZAMBOANGA CITY, September 26, 2022 – Some 56 farmers, fisherfolks and marginalized groups in rural areas of Ipil Municipality, Zamboanga Sibugay province received tools and supplies for various livelihood undertakings on September 19, 2022 at the UZ Gym, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

According to the Labor Department Regional Director, Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, with the help of an accredited co-partner named Alicia Neighborhood Multipurpose Cooperative (ALNEMPCO) and the Ang Probinsyano Party List, they were able to distribute kabuhayan starter kits for carpentry, masonry, vulcanizing, welding, and haircutting.

“The assistance is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program which seeks to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers through the promotion of entrepreneurship and community enterprises.

These tools will help them jumpstart their own businesses and hopefully sustain it for the years to come,” said Buenafe.

DOLE Assistant RD Imelda F. Gatinao and partylist representative Edward C. Delos Santos turned over the tools and supplies to the beneficiaries. The total assistance amounted to Php 1,500,000.00.

In her message to beneficiaries, ARD Gatinao stressed the program’s goal of giving beneficiaries access to resources for a sustainable livelihood that will meet their needs and provide temporary employment.

She hoped that the beneficiaries would make good use of the assistance that they had received and utilize the equipment well for their own success.

Meanwhile, 148 residents from various barangays in Ipil Municipality received their wages worth PHP 3,510.00 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Displaced/Disadvantaged Workers or TUPAD.

According to DOLE Zamboanga Sibugay Field Office Chief Elamsalih Ungad, these beneficiaries worked for 10-days doing community projects such as debris clearing, de-clogging of canals.

Ungad said that the TUPAD Program is a community-based package of assistance that provides emergency employment for displaced workers, underemployed and seasonal workers, for a minimum period of 10 days, but not to exceed a maximum of 30 days, depending on the nature of work to be performed.

“We are very thankful to our partners who optimistically help us in implementing the Department’s services. I look forward to more projects for the rural workers and marginalized groups,” Ungad said.

For more information, contact DOLE at (062) 991-2673/ (062) 991-3376 or visit our website at www.dole9portal.com and follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/doleregion9.