[To help the parents send their children to school instead of having them do labor, the association sought assistance from DOLE. Providing livelihood to parents of child laborers is part of DOLE’s mandate to eliminate child labor practices.]
On the other hand, the Sitio Esperanza San Isidro Farmers Association will be receiving a farm tractor amounting to ₱1.3 million.
The group is eyeing to provide farm services to clients outside their association for additional income. The 129 members who are engaged in onion and rice farming can avail of the service for a discounted price, cutting their production costs.
Moreover, the Lamisan Women's Association will receive ₱500,000 worth of tailoring packages, comprising sewing machines and sewing tools.
Shiela Aniban from Lamisan Women’s Association shared that the provision of tools, equipment, and materials will help members turn their tailoring skills into a sustainable livelihood as a majority of them have skills acquired from previous employment and training.
“Sa tulong po [ng proyektong ito], magkakaroon po kami ng extrang kita dahil hindi naman po araw-araw may income ang aming mga asawa namin dahil nangingisda lang po [sila],” Aniban added.
[Through the help of the project, we will have extra income for our needs, as our husbands’ fishing activities are seasonal.]
The group will be supplying bedsheets, pillowcases, and curtains to retailers in their community.
The grant is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which focuses on providing livelihood to the marginalized towards poverty eradication. The local government, DOLE, and the beneficiaries work together to ensure that the assistance will be matched with the recipients’ needs. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA – Occidental Mindoro)
