ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) –The MAKAMASA Katipunan Association in Brgy. Katipunan and Ariel Gamboa from Tapaz town are among the 2024 Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE’s) Regional Kabuhayan Awards winners.
The MAKAMASA community bakery project received a cash prize of P50,000.00 and a recognition plaque from DOLE.
According to DOLE Capiz information officer Mary Chris Medina, the members of the MAKAMASA Association are composed of solo parents and senior citizens.
“The project was implemented in 2023, and has been a great convenience for the upland community in Tapaz town where no nearby bakeshop existed,” Media stated.
Lerma Dianala, a senior citizen and solo parent, shared that their community bakery has had a significant and positive impact, as residents no longer need to travel too far just to buy bread.
“It has been a big help for any occasions like birthdays, as we are the ones providing the cakes,” Dianala added in Hiligaynon.
Gamboa received P10,000.00 and a plaque of recognition from the DOLE Region 6.
He stated that before receiving the tool kit from DOLE in 2021, his life was difficult as he also had to gather wood in the mountains to earn an income.
“But after receiving the tool kit, my income now ranges from P20,000.00 to P22,000.00 per month, and during crop season, it even reaches P28,000.00,” Gamboa said in Hiligaynon, as motorcycles are the main transportation in their barangay.
He also expressed his gratitude to DOLE for giving him the tool kit and transforming his life.
The Kabuhayan Awards celebrates individuals and organizations that significantly impact their community through sustainable livelihood.
Further, the Tapaz municipal government awarded an additional P150,000.00 to MAKAMASA Association and P100,000.00 to Ariel Gamboa to enhance their operations and further empower their community-driven initiatives. (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)
She also shares that before joining the association, her life revolved around being a barangay health worker (BHW) and staying at home. But when assistance from DOLE came, she felt inspired because, despite her daily BHW duties, she now had other meaningful work to do.
Moreover, twenty-five-year-old Ariel Gamboa, with Kabuhayan Starter Kit-Welding and Vulcanizing Shop Project from DOLE in Brgy. Cristina was awarded second runner-up for his dedication to the project.
