5 May 2017 - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur distributed Kabuhayan Starter Kits worth PHP 1 million pesos to 360 farmer beneficiaries from 33 Barangays of Zamboanga Del Sur Province at the Municipal Gym in Midsalip, ZDS.

DOLE9 Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo said that the activity is in line with the Labor Month Celebration. She likewise commended LGU-Midsalip for their active implementation of the Livelihood Project which falls under Bottoms-Up-Budgeting (BUB) and DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

Ms. Princess Jasmine Cainglet, Secretary at Large for OFWs, IP and Muslim Concerns, Office of the President also graced the activity and shared that to achieve President Rodrigo R. Duterte's goals, they go down to the grassroots level to help facilitate programs of National Government Agencies thru convergence.

On the same day, LAKAMBINI led a consultative meeting with representatives coming from the farmers, women, drivers, mountaineers, youth and subanen groups and other NGOs together with DOLE Assistant Regional Director Albert E. Gutib, Mayor Angcap, and Ms. Cainglet. This meeting led to the identification of eligible projects for the community such as: a) Registration of Associations; b) Pangase Wine Project; c) Motor Spare Parts and Repair Shop; d) Kabuhayan Starter Kits for the parents of/and Out-of-School Youth; e) Kabuhayan Starter Kits, food processing and stuff toy making for women; and f) swine fattening g) referral to other appropriate agencies for assistance/services sought for.

Municipal Mayor Leonida M. Albor-Angcap expressed her gratitude to DOLE for the valuable assistance to income-generating livelihood programs to alleviate poverty. Further, she urged the continuous support and cooperation of the community and national government agencies.(END)

With reports from Butch Jason C. Tormis,LEO-III - ZDSFO