PANDEMIC-PROOF. Cebu City’s Jovelyn Maquez is among the profitable beneficiaries of Department of Labor and Employment-7’s livelihood program. The assistance she obtained earlier than the pandemic helped her household survive the financial challenges prompted by the well being disaster. (Photo courtesy of DOLE-7)
CEBU CITY – One yr into the coronavirus pandemic, Filipinos have discovered to deal with the crippling international financial results.
Thanks to authorities interventions, just like the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) particular person starter equipment package deal of livelihood assistance, Jovelyn Maquez of Sitio Puso, Barangay Buhisan right here manages to get by.
In November 2019, earlier than the pandemic was declared, the 30-year-previous homemaker turned a recipient of the PHP18,000 price of sari-sari (retail) retailer package deal from DOLE-7 (Central Visayas).
The assistance enabled her to increase her enterprise and assist her husband, who works at a glass middle, put meals on the desk for his or her three youngsters.
“I was so happy getting the capital from DOLE for my little store,” Marquez instructed DOLE-7.
The DOLE help proved well timed as her husband ultimately misplaced his job.
“During the lockdown, I saw an opportunity to earn more. I was not afraid of the virus. Instead, I tried my best by selling food items like tempura, potato fries, hotdog and fish balls,” she stated in Cebuano. “I make sure we spend wisely, especially for the needs of the children.”
Before receiving the livelihood assistance, Marquez was incomes at the very least PHP5,000 per 30 days. With the DOLE help, her earnings elevated to PHP11,000 to PHP13,000 month-to-month.
“My business is a small one but it did help the family big time. The assistance we got from DOLE helped us a lot, especially during the pandemic,” she stated.
DOLE-7 regional director Salome Siaton stated they monitor the progress of beneficiaries and remind them to worth their undertakings, large or small.
“What is important is that they are able to nurture what the DOLE has given them and the assistance positively changed their lives. We are happy knowing Jovelyn and how she is nurturing her little business despite the many challenges she has to face these days,” Siaton stated.
DOLE’s Kabuhayan Program is the company’s contribution to the governments’ agenda of inclusive development via huge job era and substantial poverty discount.
It seeks to cut back the vulnerability to dangers of the poor, susceptible, and marginalized employees by offering them entry to a grant assistance for capability-constructing on livelihood ventures, both for particular person or group undertakings. (PNA)
