ALAMINOS CITY, Pangasinan — Four associations from the so-called vulnerable sectors here have received a total of PHP2.8 million worth of livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 1 (Ilocos) through the city government.
“The livelihood assistance is under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), wherein the associations will receive the grant through the local government unit of Alaminos in a form of equipment or materials they need for their businesses,” Mhel Gaspar, information officer of DOLE-1, said in an interview Thursday.
Gaspar said the assistance was turned over to the city government on Tuesday.
He identified the association-beneficiaries as the Hundred Islands Souvenir Vendors Association (HISVA), Pangapisan High-Value Finfish Growers’ Association, Association of Persons with Disabilities of Alaminos City, and Alaminos City Overseas Filipino Workers’ and Parents’ Association (ACOPA).
Gaspar said HISVA will receive PHP1.2 million for buying and selling of Hundred Islands National Park souvenirs; Pangapisan High-Value Finfish Growers’ Association with PHP500,000 for the culture and production of high-value finfish; Association of Persons with Disabilities of Alaminos City with PHP500,000 for the building of its Empowered Grocery Store; and ACOPA with PHP600,000 for the establishment of its ACOPA Catering Services.
The city government will also give the associations at least 20 percent of the project’s total cost as its counterpart based from the guidelines of the DILP, he added.
Aside from Alaminos City, the municipalities of Anda and Labrador have also received livelihood assistance this year.
“‘Negosyo sa Kariton’ project worth PHP460,000 were granted to 23 ambulant vendors and ‘Tulong Pangkabuhayan’ for the disadvantaged and displaced workers worth PHP425,880 in Anda, and starter kits such as fishing boats and fishing paraphernalia worth PHP1 million were given to 50 beneficiaries in Labrador,” Gaspar said.
He reminded the beneficiaries of the project’s goal of sustainability, and DOLE would continue to monitor their businesses’ progress.
“We will continue to monitor because if their businesses grow, then we will give more interventions to further enhance their capabilities,” he said.
Gaspar also encouraged other associations to avail of the same assistance from the government by coordinating with their local government.
“They can apply as we also look for those that are in need of our assistance. As long as they are registered with DOLE, Securities and Exchange Commission and Cooperative Development Authority, then they can apply,” he added. (Hilda Austria/PNA)
