100 marginalized Poraqueños Get P500-Th DOLE livelihood aid

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Some 100 marginalized residents of Porac, Pampanga are now budding entrepreneurs, thanks to a P500,000 livelihood assistance they recently received from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE Regional Director Ana Dione reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the beneficiaries received their livelihood assistance in form of DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits.

“We are hopeful that our livelihood beneficiaries here in Porac will do their best in transforming their livelihood projects into sustainable sources of income for them and their families,” Dione explained. “For years, the DOLE’s various integrated livelihood programs have given hope for quite a number of individuals or groups who no longer qualify for formal work and find opportunities to excel in entrepreneurship,” she added.

The facilitation of livelihood assistance was initiated by the DOLE Pampanga Field Office in partnership with the Local Government of Porac, through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

The starter kits, distributed at the Jose Songco Gymnasium, Cangatba in Porac town, are start-up businesses on hairdressing, hair cutting, manicure and pedicure, and automotive services.

Present during the distribution are Porac ViceMayor Dexter Albert David, DOLE Pampanga Field Office head Arlene Tolentino, and PESO Manager Gerti Cruz.

Also witnessing the distribution of starter kits include Municipal councilors Mark Valencia, Rudy Enriquez, Michelle Bengco, and Ludi Muli, ABC President Ronie Mercado, and other local offici al s.

All beneficiaries have undergone an Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) to ensure the proper management and sustenance of their livelihood projects.

The provision of livelihood assistance paved way for new hopes and beginnings for marginalized Poracenos, says manicurist Dionisia Roque, in behalf of her co-beneficiaries.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa DOLE at sa aming lokal na pamahalaan sa ipinagkaloob nilang tulong pangkabuhayan sa aming mga kababayan dito sa Porac. Asahan po ninyo na ito po ay aming pagyayamanin upang matulungan namin ang aming mga pamilya,” Roque said.

The DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits is one of the livelihood flagship programs under the DOLE Integrated livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, otherwise known as the DILEEP.