ZAMBOANGA CITY - 43 skilled workers will now be able to start their own livelihood projects after receiving Kabuhayan Starter Kits from the Department of Labor and Employment IX under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) last May 24, 2018 at Siocon Gymnasium, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte.

"The DOLE's livelihood assistance aims to augment incomes of families of workers in the informal sector of the economy. Our beneficiaries have graduated from short vocational courses they took at TESDA and are National Certificate holders. This will better equip them to make good use out of starter kits given to them," said Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo. She further added:

"With the help of Siocon's Local Government Unit, we were able to identify the beneficiaries and properly profile them for the livelihood assistance."

Supervising Labor & Employment Officer Elamsalih Ungad together with Siocon Mayor Elmer Lobrigas awarded 23 nail care kits and 20 carpentry kits to beneficiaries amounting to PHP 350,614.00.

DOLE also provided orientation to beneficiaries on the following topics: salient features of the livelihood program, Group Personal Accident Insurance under Government Service Insurance System, Occupational Safety and Health for informal sector workers, and principles of simple book keeping and recording.

Mayor Lobrigas extended his appreciation to DOLE for the assistance they received as this will help spur the economic growth of their municipality and improve the socio-economic conditions of their constituents.

Echoing the same appreciation for the assistance, the beneficiaries committed to sustain the projects awarded to them. End/KCG with reports from Emma Lim, ZCFO

KAREN CLAIRE Q. GRAFIA
LIO-Designate