Legarda, Belmonte distribute livelihood packages

MANILA, Philippines — As a response to the increasing cost of living, Sen. Loren Legarda and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte distributed livelihood packages on Thursday to around 1,400 residents through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)’s integrated livelihood program.

Legarda, Belmonte, Councilor Mikey Belmonte and DOLE-Quezon City director Martin Jequinto led the distribution of rice livelihood packages to 1,100 beneficiaries at the Amoranto Complex in Diliman.

Each beneficiary was reported to have received 13 25-kilo sacks of rice.

Three hundred more beneficiaries were given sewing machines.

“This strengthened partnership of the Quezon City government with Sen. Loren Legarda and DOLE envisions that with the infusion of capital and machinery, our beneficiaries would be able to significantly and sustainably improve their household incomes,” Mikey Belmonte said.

He added that this would “ensure the availability of out-of-pocket spending for better health, education and decent housing, and eventually translate into generating more employment opportunities and general self-sustainability through the growth of their respective businesses.”

Meanwhile, police beefed up security for the three-day Lunar New Year festivities in the city.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) yesterday deployed 200 police officers to ensure the safety of people who will join in the celebrations.

Most of the areas where the festivities will be held are under the jurisdiction of the La Loma police station.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said the police officers are ready to provide first aid.

The QCPD has also intensified security presence in malls, terminals and transport hubs in the city.

Maranan urged people who will join in the celebration to consider carpooling given the limited parking spaces.