DOLE-7 gives livelihood starter kits to OFWs, informal economy workers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-7) distributed livelihood starter kits to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Informal Economy Workers at the launching of its Nego-Kart Special Project in partnership with the Cebu Silangan Lions Club the other day at Park Mall, Reclamation Area, Mandaue City.

The Starter Kits Project provides both skills training and necessary tools to the beneficiaries so they can immediately start a livelihood undertaking.

Also, it aims to support self-employment through KITS (Knowledge sharing, Inputs acquisition, Training on entrepreneurship and Skills acquisition) on livelihood activity that requires brief training period for target beneficiaries to promptly begin their journey to self-employment.

DOLE-7 Regional Director Elias Cayanong said that he is confident that these Livelihood Starter Kits assistance can boost employment by providing productive, gainful and secure employment to marginalized and unprotected Workers in the Informal Economy.

The DOLE-7 Livelihood Starter Kits may be granted to workers engaged in massage, plumbing, cosmetology, electrical servicing, vulcanizing shop, native snack preparation, car wash, repairs of motorcycles, cellular phones and appliance.

About 55 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) returnees and dependents in Maria, Siquijor received P201, 000 for their Meat Processing and Meat Preparation Training Cum Production. It will be implemented by DOLE Accredited Co-Partner Lico-an Rural Improvement Club that provided P49, 500 as their counterpart. 

On the other hand, the Archdiocesan Youthlinks Training and Assessment Cent, Inc. received P600, 000 for various Livelihood Starter Kits projects benefiting 200 youth.

A total of 25 Hair Spa and 25 Computer Repair youth trainees received their starter kits.

Also, Barangay Taytay of Badian Municipality received 173,874 Livelihood Starter Kits assistance for the Motor Parts Retailing, Repair and Vulcanizing Shop of the Taytay Tricycle Drivers and Operators Association.

Around 20 tricycle drivers and operators shall be directly benefited from the project.

The COBCAWA Multi-Purpose Cooperative also gave P100, 000 for the Milk Production Enhancement Project. The 60 members of the group are dairy farmers that provide fresh and safe milk to local consumers.

Meanwhile, in the efforts of promoting self-employment through its Capacity Building Program for Livelihood, DOLE -7 in cooperation with the Cebu Silangan Lions Club, a civic organization that promotes and uplifts human dignity through various programs and projects, provided about 50 Nego-Karts to Informal Economy Workers in the cities of Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay.

The Nego-Kart Project or Negosyo sa Kariton is a special project of DOLE to assist disadvantaged workers particulary ambulant vendors in major cities in making their existing livelihood grow into profitable and sustainable businesses.-- Johanna Natavio, Correspondent