The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Occidental Mindoro Provincial Office distributed 39 units of nego-kart or ‘Negosyo sa Kariton’ and start-up materials to ambulant vendors in Sablayan last April 3, 2024, at the LGU’s municipal grounds.

The assistance which includes vending carts and equipment amounted to Php1,167,816.00. LGU Sablayan also contributed a share of P10,000.00 for each vendor for their start-up capital in establishing various food businesses in different barangays.

DOLE OccMin Provincial Director Peter James D. Cortazar shared that this livelihood aims to empower individuals, particularly those with limited resources, to become entrepreneurs and generate income for themselves and their families.

Sheryl Tupas, 37, one of the beneficiaries from Sitio Punta, Brgy. Poblacion, expressed gratitude for the assistance, “Nagpapasalamat po kami sa DOLE dahil napakalaking tulong po nito para makasapat sa aming pang-araw araw na pagkain at pangangailangan ng pamilya”.

(We are very grateful to DOLE because this is a huge help for us to have enough for our daily food and family’s needs),” she said.

Tupas sells milk tea along the streets in their barangay and nearby schools and parks.

The ‘Nego-Kart’ Project is part of the DOLE’s effort to assist the unemployed and is one of the many DOLE programs that seek to improve the lives of many hard-working but low-income vendors.

The ‘nego-karts’ project provides vendors with assistance that will enable them to increase, upgrade, and diversify their products and services, and market these to more buyers or customers. (DSG/PIA Occidental Mindoro)