ZAMBOANGA CITY, August 12, 2022– Forty-eight vulnerable workers from Leon B. Postigo (LBP) Municipality in Zamboanga del Norte were provided with Kabuhayan Starter Kits (KSK) last July 26, 2022.

According to Jesusa A. Camion, PESO Manager of Leon B. Postigo, the 48 beneficiaries were composed of persons who used drugs, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and residents of Barangay Tinuyop, a conflict-vulnerable area identified by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

Starter kits on PVC installation, fishing, cooking, baking, farming, and plumbing were distributed.

Municipal Mayor Runie O. Jamora expressed his gratitude to DOLE for the estimated 1.3 million pesos intervention.

“Congratulations to all the recipients ug hinaot inyong mapalambo ang maong mga ayuda pinaagi sa DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program,” mayor Jamora said.

Lestie A. Selda, who received a PVC installation starter kit, is one of the members of the Alsa Masa Service Provider Association based in Barangay Tinuyop. She expressed her gratitude to the government for the help extended to their community.

Nasser A. Sappal, a PWD and resident of Brgy. Palandok received a motorized banca. He shared that he’s been fishing for almost 20 years assisting his cousin who owns a light boat.

Through the KSK, he now owns a boat. Despite his disability, he plans to save some money to purchase a fish net and pasol (fishing rod) and also to ask his nephew to assist him when going on a fishing venture using his new boat.

“Pasalamat ko sa Lord ug pasalamat ko sa gobyerno nga gihatagaan ko para sa akong panginabuhian (I thank the Lord and the government for provisioning me with a livelihood project),” he said.

Aileen B. Mondejar, officer-in-charge of DOLE ZDNFO, expressed her hopes that the starter kits will be useful to each beneficiary. “Sa among beneficiaries, among hinaot nga kining mga starter kits inyong magamit sa inyong panginabuhi (To our beneficiaries, I hope that these starter kits will be put to good use.),” she said.

Meanwhile, Gundino B. Omos, FACOMA cooperative chairperson, expressed his gratitude to DOLE for tapping them as partners to implement DILP. He also encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize their starter kits for them to earn additional income.

KSK Program is a grant assistance provided to skilled and marginalized workers to improve socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal sector. (EDT/KCG)