DOLE, PGB distribute livelihood starter kits, inaugurate training center
CITY OF MALOLOS – Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III together with Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado led the “Inauguration of the Provincial Livelihood Training Center and Awarding of DOLE Starter Kit, Sari-Sari Store and Pandesalang Bayan” at the Capitol Compound in this city yesterday.
A total of 879 Bulakenyos received starter kits that will be used in their upcoming business ventures including 200 recipients for the Sari-sari Store groceries, 250 for massage therapy, 100 for beauty care and hair dressing, 34 for soap making, 15 for welding, 30 for sewing kit, 150 for food processing and 100 for the ‘Pandesalayang Bayan’.
Aside from the equipment and ingredients for baking, beneficiaries of ‘Pandesalang Bayan’ also received the ‘Nego-Kart Project of DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, Serbisyo para sa Mobile Vendors’ and P5,000 worth of goods.
However, the labor secretary raised the amount from P5,000 to 20,000 worth of goods and asked the help of the DOLE Regional Director Ana Dione to make it happen.
“We are grateful for the commitment of the Provincial Government of Bulacan in providing comprehensive career guidance to the young people of the province. I hope you continue to help us in promoting decent work gains and in addressing the remaining challenges in our labor force,” Sec. Bello said.
Meanwhile, the labor secretary announced that the DOLE will create a livelihood program for the Dumagats after having met for the first time the latest addition to the roster of board members in Bulacan who is the Board Member of Indigenous Mandatory Representative, Norma S. Roque.
Aside from the starter kits, the DOLE also awarded financial grants to the PGB amounting to P15 million, and to the municipalities of Balagtas worth P3,377,250, Norzagaray with P1,425,000, Bocaue with P9,690,000, Pandi with 23,931,450 and the City of San Jose del Monte with P40,401,500.
Governor Alvarado expressed his gratitude for all the assistance and stressed that this is a big help in alleviating unemployment and poverty in the province.
“Ang kamangmangan na dulot ng kahirapan ayon kay Jose Rizal ang pinakamatinding karamdaman ng lipunan, kanser ng lipunan at ito ang ginagamot natin sa pamamagitan ng mga oportunidad na ito,” Alvarado said.
Further, the newly inaugurated two-storey training center can now be used which has six classrooms that measures 56 square meters each. The three classrooms on the first floor are for admin office (1) and bread and pastry (2).
The three classrooms on the second floor are for Japanese language, dining and laundry and living and bedroom courses.