By R. G. Antonet Go – PNA
ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) has distributed PHP506,825 worth of livelihood starter kits to 26 “Kasambeshies” or household workers in this city.
DOLE-9 Director Ofelia Domingo said the livelihood starter kits, which were distributed on Tuesday, aims to augment and provide alternative income to the household workers and their families.
“We are doing this so that they will not solely depend on their salaries and have an alternative income for the family,” Domingo said Thursday.
She said the beneficiaries of the livelihood starter kits were those who joined the Miss Kasambeshie beauty pageant last May. The participants were from the different parts of the region.
The beauty pageant aimed to drum up awareness about Republic Act No. 10361 or the Kasambahay Law that provides protection and welfare to domestic workers.
Of the 26 Kasambeshies, 12 received cooking and baking utensils; six, aid for a sari-sari store business; five for rice retail; and three for dressmaking.
Domingo said each set of cooking and baking utensils costs PHP19,619 for a total of PHP235,428; the sari-sari store starter kits cost PHP19,897 each or a total of PHP119,382; rice retailing at P19,654 each with a total of PHP98,270; and dressmaking PHP17,915 each of a total PHP53,745.
Domingo advised the beneficiaries to put to good use the livelihood starter kits given to them.
She said the beneficiaries have also undergone occupational health and safety and simple bookkeeping seminar to empower them on how to manage their livelihood undertakings.
Mercedita Gaballo, the reigning Ms. Kasambeshie, thanked the government, particularly DOLE, for the livelihood assistance.
