DOLE grants informal workers fund support

 

LABRADOR– The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the Ilocos provided recently some P250,000 worth of livelihood assistance to 25 informal workers in this town to help them improve their economic conditions and come out of poverty.

DOLE-1 Regional Director Grace Ursua said the livelihood assistance is under the Kabuhayan Starter Kit (KSK) program of the agency that will enable the beneficiaries to start a more stable and regular source of income.

“We, at the DOLE, will continue to contribute in eradicating poverty and creating employment opportunities in the informal sector through the implementation of our integrated livelihood program; and in the process, making our marginalized and vulnerable workers as government partners in achieving these goals,” she said.

One of the recipients of the DOLE assistance is Annaly Dacillo, a single parent of three from Barangay Uyong here.

“Napakalaking tulong ang ibinigay ng DOLE lalo po sa katulad ko na mag-isang itinataguyod ang aking mga anak.  Bagama’t sobrang hirap po ng aming sitwasyon, nagkaroon po ako ng pag-asa. Ako po ay nangangako na ito ay aking pagyayamanin at palalaguin upang may magamit sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak,” Dacillo said.

Prior to receiving the assistance, most of the beneficiaries were either bystanders, or part-time manicurists in their locality, having no sufficient training and tools.

“We charged only P30 for a manicure or pedicure,” she shared.

After receiving the livelihood assistance from the DOLE, Dacillo and her co-beneficiaries will already charge P50 for the said service. Also, they will be able to add haircut, make-up and foot spa to their services.

Ursua said the DOLE livelihood assistance consists of tools for manicure/pedicure, haircut, make-up and foot spa services; while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and local government unit of Labrador provided for the training needs of the beneficiaries. 

Aside from the skills training, the beneficiaries will undergo trainings on values formation, simple bookkeeping and basic management, she said.

Now, Dacillo can look into tomorrow with renewed hope. She is confident that with their new tools and trainings, they will be able to cater to more customers and earn more income. (AMM/PIA-1, Pangasinan/DOLE)