In a bid to help boost incomes, marginalized workers are encouraged to take advantage of livelihood assistance from the labor department.
Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod said DOLE has made available livelihood programs to benefit vulnerable sectors boost family incomes.
Addressing the Manila Workers Unity Workers Consultation Assembly “Usapang Obrero” in Sta. Ana, Manila, Maglunsod also assured workers of government’s relentless drive to end illegal contracting and sub-contracting, and the practice of “endo.”
“Assemblies such as this is one way of relaying your concerns. You may consult our attached agencies because the labor department offers various services and livelihood programs which you may avail of to have additional income for your families,” Maglunsod said
Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Ma. Karina Perida-Trayvilla presented the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) program which aims to generate sustainable local enterprises towards increased self-employment and productivity across the regions.
The DILP is designed to reduce the vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers by providing them access to a grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood ventures either for individual or group undertakings.
“In an average family, there should be at least two providers. There should be a flexible and sustainable source of income for a family to have a decent home, enough food on their plates, and proper clothing and education for their children. “This is the aim of DOLE’s livelihood programs: to grant workers or their wives an opportunity to be an entrepreneur and establish their own businesses,” Trayvilla said.
Under the DILP, qualified organizations composed of 15-25 members can avail of a maximum financial assistance of P250,000.00 for the Micro-Livelihood group project; 26-50 members can apply for a maximum financial assistance of P500,000.00 for the Small Livelihood; and for the Medium Livelihood, an organization composed of 50 members can gain access to a maximum financial assistance of P1,000,000.00, depending on the project requirement.
The applicant organizations for the group livelihood project should have a Project Management Team and profit sharing scheme, which should be both specified or indicated in the business plan/proposal and in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
On the other hand, individual beneficiaries may avail of the DOLE Starter Kit or Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-Kart) and gain access to a maximum financial assistance of P20,000.00, depending on the project requirement.
For further concerns, and inquiries on DOLE services and programs, Maglunsod encouraged the workers to call the DOLE Hotline 1349 or coordinate directly to his office for immediate assistance and labor dispute resolution or log on to the DOLE website at www.dole.gov.ph and the BWSC website at www.bwsc.dole.gov.ph/. | DOLE
