(3rd from left) Mirasol Toñacao receives P30,000 worth of sari-sari store goods from DOLE7 through Cebu People's Multipurpose Cooperative (CPMPC). Photo also shows representatives from DOLE 7 and CPMPC. (Photo from CPMPC Facebook Page)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – Former garments factory worker Mira Toñacao, 34, is thankful to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) after she received a livelihood assistance worth P30,000 under the Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) or Kabuhayan Program.
“Magpasalamat ko ug dako sa DOLE Region 7 sa assistance nga akong nadawat ug sa Cebu People’s Multipurpose Cooperative (CPMPC). Dako jud kaayo ni nga tabang. Naa jud koy makita adlaw-adlaw,” Toñacao said.
(I am very thankful to DOLE Region 7 and the Cebu People’s Multipurpose Cooperative for the assistance I received. This is truly a big help. I now have a daily income.)
Toñacao narrated that she lost her job last year as a sewer due to the low volume of orders received by her employer.
She said she was fortunate to attend a job fair organized by DOLE, which prioritized displaced workers from the Mactan Export Processing Zone.
During the job fair, Toñacao was able to secure an application form for DILP assistance.
“Pagkahuman sa discussion sa taga-DOLE, gitagaan mi ug form para makafill-up para sa assistance. Nag-pass ko ato ug proposal unya akong gipili kay sari-sari store,” she explained.
(After a discussion with a DOLE staff, we were given forms to apply for assistance. I submitted a proposal and chose a sari-sari store as my project.)
On March 28, 2025, the CPMPC released P30,000 worth of sari-sari store goods to Toñacao.
She also received a sewing machine worth ₱20,000 from DOLE’s dressmaking equipment livelihood assistance program.
Toñacao is one of the 41 displaced workers who received P30,000 worth of livelihood assistance from DOLE under the Kabuhayan program.
Supporting displaced workers
DOLE-7 senior labor and employment officer Seymoun T. Hamoy explained that DILP is a grant provided to marginalized workers, low-wage earners, and displaced workers.
“Disadvantaged workers like farmers, fisherfolk, drivers, women workers, and those who lost their jobs but still want to earn a living independently are the focus of our support,” said Hamoy.
He stressed that the program is geared towards sustainability and business growth.
“Ang ato lang is ilang mapalambo or i-sustain. If ayohon ug dala, posible nga atong dugangan, enhancement kana kung gikinahanglan nila. Ang ato is ila jud gigamit sa tarong,” said Hamoy.
(Our goal is for them to sustain and grow their livelihood. If they manage it well, we can provide additional support if needed. What’s important is they use the assistance properly.)
Hamoy also clarified that the DILP is not only for displaced workers but also open to any individual wishing to start a livelihood.
“Partner nato ang CPMPC. Once ma-liquidate, pwede ta mag-identify ug lain beneficiaries, bisan dili displaced workers, basta nanginabuhi ug interesado mo-avail sa program,” he added.
(Since CPMPC is our partner, once funds are liquidated, we can identify new beneficiaries—even those who are not displaced workers—as long as they are earning a living and interested in the program.)
He also emphasized that the program prioritizes individuals and families below the poverty threshold.
Among the livelihood projects proposed in partnership with CPMPC are upholstery, tailoring, sewing, eateries, general merchandise stores, and hog-raising.
DILP officially started in 2010 to consolidate and strengthen DOLE’s various livelihood assistance programs into one unified effort to help disadvantaged workers achieve sustainable incomes.
Strengthening partnerships
CPMPC president and chief executive officer Michael Abella shared that before the release of the total P1,230,000 livelihood fund from DOLE-7, the 41 beneficiaries were already pre-identified by the department.
The cooperative has already released livelihood assistance to 33 beneficiaries, while 7 are still realigning their project proposals, and one beneficiary has already left the country.
“First pa sad ni nato nga partnership sa DOLE sa kaning livelihood program. To support sad sa government programs mao to nga atong gidawat jud since ang atong operations nationwide siya,” Abella said.
(This is actually our first partnership with DOLE under the livelihood program. We accepted it to help support government programs, especially since our operations are nationwide.)
He also noted that prior to the release of the assistance, beneficiaries underwent financial literacy seminars.
The DILP beneficiaries come from the northern part of Cebu (Bogo, Danao, Consolacion, Catmon, Carmen, Borbon, Tabuelan, Liloan, and San Remigio) and from the southern and western parts (Toledo, Naga, Pinamungajan, Dalaguete, Asturias, Alcantara, Barili, Balamban, Carcar, and Argao).
Both CPMPC and DOLE continuously monitor the beneficiaries to ensure that the assistance provided is properly used and that the livelihood projects are sustained and improved.
As of May 2025, around P990,000 worth of assistance has already been disbursed since March this year. (MYP/PIA7)
