GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has approved a livelihood grant of around PHP4.1 million for poor and marginalized workers in Sarangani Province.
Glenda Revaño, manager of the Sarangani Public Employment Services Office (PESO), said Tuesday the assistance comprises the initial allotment for the province this year under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).
She said it will benefit over 100 individuals and groups from the province’s seven municipalities that qualified for the program.
“We’re currently complying with some documentary requirements to facilitate the downloading of the funds,” Revaño said in an interview.
She said they are also working on signing a memorandum of agreement with DOLE-Region 12 in line with its rollout.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan issued an authority last week to Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon to sign the agreement with DOLE-12, though its regional director Sisinio Cano.
Under the program, Revaño said the beneficiaries will mainly receive livelihood starter kits composed of materials and inputs for their chosen ventures.
As approved by DOLE-12, she said most of the approved livelihood projects were tailoring, sari-sari store, mini eatery or carinderia and raising of farm animals.
The beneficiaries will also be enrolled in an insurance program offered by the Government Service Insurance System.
Revaño said the selected beneficiaries had submitted business plans to PESO-Sarangani and DOLE regarding their proposed small business ventures.
She said the identification of the projects was based on the preferences and skills of the beneficiaries.
“As part of the evaluation, their business plans should show the target income of the project in at least one cycle,” she said.
Revaño, however, said they expect that the livelihood projects will eventually provide the beneficiaries with sustainable income on a long term basis.
To achieve that, she said they will regularly monitor their status in coordination with DOLE-12 and the municipal governments.
“During the rollout, we will provide them with the necessary technical assistance to ensure that their ventures will be sustained,” she said.
