Over a hundred women workers and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) received livelihood aid and temporary employment, respectively from the labor department.
In a report to Labor Secretary Silvestre ‘Bebot’ Bello III, the Department of Labor and Employment XI provided livelihood assistance to 30 members of Barangay DEL Women’s Association and cash-for-work to close to 80 members of United Blind Masseurs Association, Rejuvenating Blind Masseurs Association, and Association of Differently-Abled Persons.
The Davao Oriental Field Office (DOFO) spearheaded the turnover of Buko Pie Making Start-Up Kits to Barangay DEL Women’s Association located in Brgy. Don Enrique Lopez in Mati City on Sept. 23 (Thursday).
In coordination with the City Government of Mati, the members will undergo a two-day training program in buko pie-making and coaching on basic inventory, budgeting, accounting, and other entrepreneurial skills.
DOLE XI OIC-Regional Director Randolf Pensoy said the program is part of their efforts in providing livelihood assistance to the informal sector workers of Davao Oriental.
We aim to transform their livelihood into competitive, resilient, and sustainable enterprises added Pensoy.
Federated Women President Melodina Arceño thanked DOLE XI and the City Government of Mati for the opportunity and support to the needs of the association.
Meanwhile, close to 80 PWDs in Davao City benefitted from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
The beneficiaries worked on social community projects like cleaning and beautification of their respective barangays for 15 days or from July 21 to Aug. 3.
Their wages, amounting to P396 per day, were coursed through money remittance centers and house-to-house pay-out following the minimum health and safety protocols.
“Panahon nga nag-lockdown tungod sa pandemya, naguol gyud kaayo ko sip usa ka single parent kay unsaon na lang ang panginahanglan sa akong upat kaanak kung wala ko’y trabaho (When the country was placed in lockdown due to the pandemic, I was really worried because as a single parent, how would I provide the basic needs of my children after losing my job),” TUPAD beneficiary Michael C. Domingo, a visually impaired masseur who lost his job after massage clinics were shut down, said.
“Daghang salamat sa kay Secretary Bello ug sa DOLE Region XI sa tabang pinaagi sa TUPAD. Wala gyud mi ninyo pasagdahi sa panahon sa kalisod. Apan ang among kondisyon isip PWD, dili kini mahimong babag para kami magpadayon sa kinabuhi. Ang TUPAD usa ka nagpamatuod na bisan aduna’y limitasyon, makaya namong mga PWD mubarog panahon sa krisis (Thank you very much, Secretary Bello and DOLE Region XI, for the assistance through TUPAD. You never left us behind especially during this tough time. Without a doubt, our disability is never a hindrance to carry on with life. TUPAD is just one of the validations that despite these limitations as PWD, we can still overcome a crisis),” Domingo added with optimism.
“This shows DOLE’s dedication to promote equal opportunities and outcomes in employment for PWDs. Through TUPAD, we are not simply assisting our PWD beneficiaries, but we are also empowering them by giving them hope and providing them the encouragement to develop resilience,” OIC-Regional Director Pensoy said. (DOLE Region XI) – bny
