CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) -- Marvin G. Dullo and his son, Kevin Mark, had been busking around Cebu City for several years. Their passion for music has led them to hop from one place to another, strumming their guitars to briefly entertain passers-by and hopefully be reciprocated with tips.
On some days, they get to go home with money in their pocket that can help their family get by.
In February of this year, Marvin and his son learned that they were among the eight musicians who were chosen to receive P29,000 in aid from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
The aid under the DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) will be used to buy musical instruments.
Aside from Marvin and Kevin Mark, the other beneficiaries were Romualdo A. Tigle, Jr., Herbert Y. Allarse, Eggie Galvez, Alfredo Rago, Gerald G. Cobacha, and Junjay Angga.
"I never imagined that my love for music could lead to such an incredible opportunity. Thanks to DOLE,” said Marvin.
He said the grant will help turn their busking into a more stable source of income for his family.
“With this grant, we can turn our passion into a sustainable livelihood for our families,” he added.
After the turnover of the financial assistance that was held at the Guadalupe Church Function Room in Brgy. Guadalupe, Cebu City, the buskers now own the following musical instruments: drum pads, acoustic guitars, dynamic microphones, bass guitars, bass amplifiers, stageman floor, mixers, Gix four multi-effects processors, keyboard, and amplifiers.
Displaced workers
According to DOLE Region 7 public information officer Luchel Taniza, a DOLE staff spotted two of the buskers performing on the street near Inayawan Public Market in Cebu City. The DOLE staff approached the buskers and struck up a conversation.
Upon learning that the musicians were displaced workers, the DOLE staff encouraged them to seek out other buskers who were also displaced employees and apply as a group for assistance from the labor department.
Taniza said the buskers were then profiled to check if they qualified for the livelihood program under DILP, which they did.
An inspiration
During the turnover ceremony, DOLE Regional Director Lilia Estillore lauded the buskers for being a source of inspiration through their talent and hard work.
“I am so inspired looking at them. I am so inspired looking at these displaced workers who have pure talent. As Regional Director of DOLE, I am honored to be part of the livelihood program of the department that gives premium to meaningful undertakings such as extending livelihood assistance to these buskers like Marvin and his son, Kevin Mark,” said Estillore.
She emphasized that the livelihood grant is not a dole out but rather an incentive for deserving beneficiaries.
“This is the direction that the DOLE’s livelihood program is heading to and that is carrying it out with meaningful and thoughtful outcomes. We make sure that the recipients deserve what they receive while putting emphasis on what the program stands for – that it is not a dole out but a program for deserving workers,” explained Estillore.
DOLE also enrolled the buskers in a one-year group personal accident insurance through the Government Service Insurance System. (HFG/PIA7 with reports from DOLE7)
