Senior citizens in CAMANAVA welcome business opportunities from the Department of Labor and Employment. (Photo Courtesy: Malabon Public Information Office)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Some 144 individuals from the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela (CAMANAVA) on Thursday, February 22, received  received livelihood packages under the Integrated Livelihood Emergency Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

The livelihood package includes P30,000 worth of rice sacks, carinderia package, and tailoring package for the intended enterprise of the beneficiaries. 

A total of 34 senior citizens in Malabon City were able to benefit from the rollout of the program in CAMANAVA. 

“Sobrang saya dahil malaking tulong talaga ito lalo na’t may iba kaming kasamang matutulungan at magkakaroon ng kahit maliit na kita. Makakatulong ito dahil maitatabi namin ‘yung kikitain kapag kinakailangan na,” said 70-year-old Jaime Ortega from Barangay Ibaba. 

(Translation: I’m so happy because this is a huge help, especially knowing that there’s more people who will benefit from the income. This will help us save for future needs.) 

“Masaya ako dahil malaking tulong ito para sa pamilya ko. Makakatulong ito ng sobra dahil mapagkakakitaan namin ito at ibebenta namin ng maayos para lumago,” said Virginia Dela Cruz, a 65-year-old Virginia recipient of rice sacks from Barangay Baritan. 

(Translation: I am happy because this is a huge help to my family. This will greatly help because we will earn a living while growing the business.) 

The Integrated Livelihood Emergency Program aims to provide entrepreneurship opportunities to vulnerable sectors, particularly the unemployed and displaced workers, as a means of social protection. 

The program is also designed to contribute to job generation and poverty reduction towards inclusive growth. (JMP/PIA-NCR)