LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas and the Iloilo City government sign an agreement for the Kabuhayan Project on Tuesday (July 23, 2024). The project stands to benefit 233 small businesses in Iloilo City. (Photo courtesy of Iloilo City government)
ILOILO CITY – The city government was named as a recipient of PHP5.49 million worth of livelihood funds under the Kabuhayan Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas.
The DOLE and the local government unit signed a memorandum of agreement to formally seal the partnership to provide Negosyo sa Kariton and sari-sari store projects to 233 beneficiaries on Tuesday.
“The livelihood project seeks the inclusive maximization of micro-businesses in the metro through the distribution of 133 uniform food carts and the improvement of 100 sari-sari stores,” the city government said in a statement on Wednesday.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, Public Employment Service Office (PESO) manager Gabriel Felix Umadhay, and Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (LEDIP) office head Velma Jane Lao for Iloilo City and Assistant Regional Director Melisa Navarra and Iloilo officer-in-charge Amalia Judicpa for DOLE signed the agreement in a ceremony held at the City Mayor’s office on Tuesday.
Aside from being more sanitary, the project was described by Treñas as very creative and innovative.
“The city government will make sure this goes to people who are really in need,” he said.
The recipients, with viable businesses, completed the training on financial literacy and business sustainability offered by the LEDIP office through the Uswag Negosyo Academy.
Navarra, during the signing, said they hoped the sustainable project would be helpful to the disadvantaged and displaced beneficiaries.
“With LEDIP also, we hope through time, we will be able to provide support to others who need our help,” she said.
Umadhay said they can now begin with the bidding process for the Negosyo cart. (PNA)
