32 Macabebe residents receive P500-Th DOLE livelihood aid

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Some 32 marginalized residents from Macabebe town, are now budding entrepreneurs thanks to a P500,000 livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The provision of livelihood assistance was initiated by the DOLE Pampanga Field Office and the Local Government of Macabebe through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

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

“Though our intervention, we are hopeful that our marginalized beneficiaries residing in the coastal town of Macabebe can turn their livelihood projects into sustainable businesses that will benefit their families and pave more livelihood and employment opportunities within their community,” Dione said.

Macabebe Mayor Annette Balgan, DOLE Pampanga Field Office head Arlene Tolentino, and PESO Manager Lilibeth Pangan, led the distribution of livelihood projects at the town’s municipal grounds.

Of the total livelihood assistance distributed, P300,000 worth of Negosyo sa Kariton (Negokart) Projects benefited some 20 ambulant vendors selling street food “merienda” and fresh “ulam.”

The remaining P200,000 worth of sewing machines and materials, on the other hand, benefited some 12 home-based workers for their household garment manufacturing project.

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

The livelihood assistance will enable the residents of Macabebe to further strive for success says ambulant vender Mary Jane Carreon, on behalf of her co-beneficiaries.

“Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa pagsanibpwersa ng DOLE at ng Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Macabebe, sa pamamagitan ng kanilang PESO, sa ipinagkaloob nilang mga tulong pangkabuhayan sa aming kababayan. Asahan po ninyo na ito ay aming pagyayamanin at hindi po kayo mabibigo sa pagtulong po ninyo sa amin,” Careon said.

The provision of livelihood projects in Macabebe town were sourced from the DOLE Integrated livelihood and Emergency Employment Program, otherwise known as the DILEEP.— Jerry Borja/DOLE-3 LCO