CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — To address the immediate needs of displaced and marginalized communities in the region, helping them transition from uncertainty to self-sufficiency, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 Regional Director Erwin Aquino underscored the relevance of ‘DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program’ (DILP), along with other programs, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on September 17, here.
“The program provides livelihood grants to individuals or groups, enabling them to establish or enhance their own income-generating ventures, from small-scale agricultural projects to retail and service businesses,” he said.
He added that it has helped many beneficiaries achieve sustainable livelihoods through collaboration with local government units and partner agencies in the region.
Moreover, Assistant Regional Director Russell A. Jallorina emphasized programs like the DILP, highlighting the data on underemployed and marginalized groups in the region, despite improvements over the past year.
“The problem is that underemployment is either increasing or the same with the rate of employment. The employment rate increased and the unemployment rate decreased, but the underemployment rate will also increase since a lot are not employed fully or working less than 40 hours a week,” he added.
From another perspective, Aiza Namuag, a DILP beneficiary, shared that they chose to seek assistance with livelihood through egg retailing rather than accepting cash. This decision was made because it could better support them, especially given her challenging financial situation, where she only works as an assistant in a local eatery.
“Lisod jud kaayo ang panginabuhi, mangita pa ko og pliti sa mga bata. Item naman akong dawaton, so akong gipili kay egg retail, so ako na magpalago kung unsaon nako. Nagpasalamat jud ko og ayo ug ako jud ning palambuon kaning gihatag sa DOLE,” she added.
(Life is quite challenging; I still need to find money to cover the children’s transportation expenses. I opted for egg retail because it’s something I can manage once I receive the items, then I’ll figure out how to grow it. I’m really thankful, and I will definitely work to make the most of what DOLE has given me.)
Moreover, Aquino said through DOLE’s programs, such as the DILP, these initiatives have driven their office to strive to uplift the lives of disadvantaged workers, youth, and indigenous people. These efforts aim to address financial challenges and promote economic stability in Region 10, while also tackling pressing issues like child labor.
Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term began in 2022 until September 11, 2024, DOLE-10 has distributed P521 million in livelihood grants to 41,304 beneficiaries under the DILP. (DCC/PIA-10)
