Photo Credits: City Government of Isabela de Basilan Information Office

ZAMBOANGA CITY, 21st July 2022 – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) – Isabela City Field Office (ICFO) in collaboration with the City Government of Isabela through the Public Employment Service Office and Persons with Disability Affairs Office successfully conducted the turnover of Kabuhayan Starter Kits (KSK) to persons with disability (PWDs) at City Persons with Disability Affairs Office Lounge, East Terminal, Sunrise Barangay, Isabela City, Basilan on July 18, 2022.

Bernadita Racoma of Doña Ramona and Dayana Nassal of Barangay Kaumpurnah, Isabela City, Basilan were the program’s visually impaired beneficiaries.

The KSKs consist of tools and jigs for food processing and dressmaking which amounted to a total of PHP40,431.

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that the activity was in line with the observance of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week as the DOLE joins the nation’s efforts towards disability prevention and rehabilitation for the effective integration of persons with disabilities into the mainstream of society.

The Kabuhayan Starter Kit (KSK) Project is intended to bring about improved socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal economy. It will enable beneficiaries to quickly start a livelihood undertaking and become self-employed.

DOLE ICFO Head Ma. Elena T. Alalabata, PESO Manager Aradelria Belleng and PDAO Gemma Casas-Paculio turned over the livelihood assistance in the form of Kabuhayan Starter Kits to the beneficiaries at the CPDAO Lounge.

In her message, Chief Alabata acknowledged the DOLE-ICFO team for being the support system during the preparation for the activity. Ms. Belleng also gave her short message to the beneficiaries.

“I hope you will be able to sustain your families through these starter kits and your businesses will continually grow.”, she said.

PDAO Officer Ms. Gemma Casas – Paculio, in her closing message, encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the kits they have received. She also said that she can lend some help if in time the PWD beneficiaries will need it.

Ms. Racoma and Ms. Nassal expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Labor and Employment for implementing the project.

“I am thankful because through these starter kits, I will be able to start a business again and will be able to provide for my family’s everyday needs. I hope many skilled persons in the informal economy can benefit from this program and become self-employed themselves for their families too,” Racoma said. ### With reports from ICFO