VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The provincial government of Ilocos Sur launched on Nov. 22 its “Bigasan (rice retailing) Project” through its “ONE Kabuhayan (Oportunidad, Negosyo, at Empleyo)” program aimed at providing livelihood packages for persons with disability (PWDs), families of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), solo parents, and senior citizens in the province.
A total of 35 beneficiaries received a “bigasan” package for rice retailing each, which included 12 sacks of 25 kilograms of rice, a weighing scale, a scooper, a calculator, and assorted sando bags.
Under the 10-Point ONE Ilocos Sur Agenda of the present administration, Governor Jeremias Singson said that the provincial government provides various forms of assistance and livelihood opportunities to the residents of Ilocos Sur, particularly the vulnerable sector, to help them regain financial stability and achieve a steady income to support their families.
He said, “I always say that our administration has what we call the ONE Ilocos Sur 10-Point Agenda. We have programs catering to individuals from prenatal stages to senior citizens. Our initiatives are designed to serve all age groups within our province, regardless of their status in life. These programs will continue to support everyone in our community.”
The provincial government collaborated with the Provincial Migrant Workers Desk Office, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail to identify the first 35 recipients, selecting seven from each sector, according to Mary Madelaine Salvador, the provincial manager of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
She said, “Our target for the PDLs is those considered the breadwinners in their families. We provide livelihoods for their families to survive while their breadwinner is incarcerated. For the PWDs, we offer livelihoods because they often face challenges in finding employment, and we cannot provide one for them. Displaced OFWs who could not go abroad, were repatriated, or voluntarily returned home due to inadequate salaries, and senior citizens are also part of our focus.”
Salvador added that while there is no definite date for the next distribution of assistance, she assured that the provincial government will continue to implement the project next year.
Solidad Martinez, 86 years old, from Barangay Sapriana in Sinait town, was one of the recipients.
As a senior citizen living alone in her small house, she finds the livelihood package very beneficial.
She said it would help her provide not only for herself but also for her son, who is in prison.
“I am a poor widow living alone, and this livelihood program is very helpful for me. I was a victim of a landslide in the past year and had to move my house with help from the DSWD. I now live in a small house made mostly of galvanized iron sheets, similar to a pigeon’s house. I am very grateful for this assistance,” Martinez said.
The PESO stated that they will monitor the recipients for three to six months to assess how effectively they utilized the livelihood package provided by the provincial government. (AMB/JMCQ/VGS, PIA Ilocos Sur)
