ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment in Region IX (DOLE 9) continues to empower and give assistance to skilled women in Zamboanga City for better income generating opportunities. 

Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that DOLE 9 released the amount of PHP 479,125.00 to Las Brillas Mujeres Association to jumpstart the Slippers and Bag Making Project of the 25 members. 

The recipients are informal sector women of Barangay Talon-Talon and other nearby barangays in Zamboanga City. 

Assistant Regional Director Imelda F. Gatinao handed the check to Liza Brilla, the association president on November 4, 2020 at the DOLE 9 Office in Sta. Catalina. Barangay Talon-Talon Councilor Jack Ismael and DOLE Chiefs Ian Lahi and Elsa B. Tan stood witness to the simple turn-over ceremony. 

Director Buenafe said that the assistance is under DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP)  – Kabuhayan Starter KITS Project which is a livelihood formation strategy that is intended to bring about improved socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal economy, in groups/sectors with special concerns, and displaced wage workers (local and overseas) and their families.

All the TESDA-trained beneficiaries were provided with tools, jigs and equipment such as sewing machines, sewing kits and fabrics/textiles. 

ARD Gatinao, in her message, encouraged the beneficiaries to make good use of the assistance given to them and endeavor to be recognized as an outstanding DOLE-Assisted livelihood project. 

In response, Brilla thanked DOLE and expressed their commitment to expand the project:

“Ta rindi kame miles de gracias con el DOLE por el starter kits que ya dale ustedes na de amon grupo del mujeres. Grande ayuda este para canamon para omenta el de amon income. (We thank DOLE for the starter kits given to our group. This will help us generate more income for the family.)”

Barangay Talon-Talon LGU will help DOLE 9 in monitoring the project. 

/END With reports from Ma. Eloina S. Idris, Sr. LEO, ZCFO