75 ambulant vendors, 83 OFW returnees receive P1.3 million livelihood grant assistance from DOLE 1 Alma Timkang, a 36-year-old mother from Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, thinks vending will never be the same again. For someone who belongs to a poor family, sustaining even a small livelihood activity like vending is a challenge. “I would vend vegetables intermittently because more often, our family income is just enough for our subsistence,” Alma shared. This she did with a “labba” or bamboo- woven basket on her head while roaming around the neighborhood on her feet, she said. Until recently, she and 74 other ambulant vendors - all Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries from the municipalities of Magsingal, San Vicente and Galimuyod in Ilocos Sur province - received P1,124,350 grant livelihood assistance under the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 1’s Negosyo sa Kariton (Negokart) project. The assistance, consisting of vending carts; working capital; training on production, entrepreneurship, productivity and business management, was delivered to the said LGUs through the DOLE-Ilocos Sur Field Office. “One good thing about having a vending cart is that, we can now reach customers more easily and we are better protected against the scorching heat of the sun,” Alma enthused. DOLE 1 Regional Director Grace Ursua told that P449,975 worth of livelihood assistance was turned over to Magsingal on July 31 for 30 ambulant vendors; Galimuyod received P374,375 on July 4 for 25 ambulant vendors while San Vicente was given P300,000 on August 29 for its 20 ambulant vendors. The total financial counterpart from the three municipalities for the business permits, tools and snacks for the training amounted to P327,565, the Regional Director told. During the awarding ceremony in San Vicente, Director Ursua urged the beneficiaries to perform their responsibilities in the project. “We give you the assistance with a challenge that you manage it responsibly not only to improve your family’s economic conditions, but to become the government’s active partners in creating employment opportunities and spurring growth in your locality,” she said. With the assistance under the Negokart, Alma and her co-beneficiaries are all optimistic that their livelihood will stabilize and become more profitable. On the same occasion, P259,208 worth of income support was awarded to the Tignay OFW Association, a group of 83 OFW returnees. The livelihood assistance is in the form of equipment and grocery items for the association’s Mini Grocery project. Thankful to the DOLE for the grant, Restituta Riotoc, the association President, said “As our part, we commit to work together harmoniously to make the project successful.” Director Ursua said self-employment undertakings are viable strategies to enable OFW returnees to stay in the country, be with their families and take active part in establishing and expanding micro, small and medium enterprises. The DOLE protects and promotes the rights and welfare of OFWs and their families through the provision of social, economic and legal programs and services in pursuit of President Aquino III’s economic vision of “a government that creates jobs at home, so that working abroad will be a choice rather than a necessity”. Alma Onido Lco Dole Charity Aurellado Ubilas Tvpatrol Ilocos Michael Patron Lcophoto Merd Maybelle Frianeza
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 08:18:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015