Pagadian City - The Department of Labor and Employment Zamboanga del Sur Field Office (DOLE-ZDSFO) in coordination with the Local Government Unit of Josefina, Zamboanga del Sur distributed Kabuhayan Starter Kits under the Bottom-Up-Budgeting (BUB) amounting to P 500,000.00 to 50 skilled workers at the Municipal Gym of Josefina, ZDS on February 17, 2017.

The project beneficiaries were skilled workers who have the skills and were starting their own small businesses, but they lack appropriate tools and equipment. Realizing the need to improve their entrepreneurial skills, DOLE, through its DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) turned over kits for dressmaking, cooking, carpentry, plumbing, cosmetology, electrical installation, baking and bamboo furniture making. Thirty (30) of the beneficiaries were from the Subanen Tribe, mostly Subanen women who were already skilled workers.

DOLE-9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, in his message, emphasized the impact of the project to the beneficiaries. "These projects are the people's projects. The Department is returning to you what is due for you. We make sure that DOLE projects are being implemented appropriately, to ensure lasting usefulness so that we can achieve our vision to provide you with a long term livelihood venture for you and your family."

Meanwhile, the Honorable Mayor Catalino A. Adapon explained that during their BUB Projects evaluation, they were certain that the projects implemented by DOLE were properly implemented and realized. "This is one of those successful projects and we are so grateful. We know most of you had just completed your skills training with TESDA, and thus, to give you a complete package, we tapped DOLE to give you your livelihood kits for you to start at an instant and improve your welfare. Just remember, the government is here to help you, what we ask is that you commit helping yourself and the community."

Nerlita G. Gumalay, one of the beneficiaries, responded, "We, from the Tribu Subanen and Subanen Women Group, extend our heartfelt and warm thanks to DOLE and LGU Josefina for granting us what we direly need to make us more productive. Thus, we commit to utilize this as purpose for ourself, for our family and even to the Subanen Association." Nerlita G. Gumalay in her response.

The DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit Project 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/disadvantaged workers and their families. This project is a package of services that enables the target beneficiaries to start quickly a livelihood undertaking and thus having a sustainable self-employment through easy to learn income-raising activity. (end)

Butch Jason C. Tormis

Labor and Employment Officer III