The DOLE has always remained focused on its mission to attain full and decent jobs to all Filipino citizens. One of the developmental strategies adopted by the Department to reduce unemployment is to provide tools and jigs to qualified skilled workers. This program is also known as the DOLE Livelihood Starter Kit Project.

The Starter Kit Project is a livelihood formation mechanism that is intended to improve the socioeconomic well-being of workers in the informal economy, in groups sectors with special concerns and displaced wage workers both local and overseas including their families.

Last September 23 to 25, 2013 the DOLE has successfully awarded livelihood starter kits to 41 beneficiaries in the form of tools, jigs and equipment amounting to Php 253,528.00. These equipment(carpentry, cosmetology, barber, curtain making and small carenderia) are expected to enable target beneficiaries from the four LGUs of Diplahan, Malangas, Imelda and Kalawit to quickly engage in a livelihood undertaking so as to become self-employed and augment their income to help provide for their family's needs.

Since this project started in 2009, the number of applications for this project rises every year. To help the DOLE in the screening process, our local counterparts - the Public Employment Service Offices in the LGUs were very instrumental in the assessment of applicants which requires at least one social protection membership (SSS, PhilHealth&Pag-ibig;).

Edyll Grace P. Poligrates, DOLE Zambo. Sibugay Field Office