The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol in partnership with Ako Bicol Partylist (AKB), and with the support of other government agencies in the provision of trainings to the beneficiaries — Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), Bicol OSHNet and Department of Tourism (DOT) distributed stationary Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego-karts) or food kiosks, and other livelihood paraphernalia to 67 ambulant vendors on Thursday at Tektone Village in Legazpi City, Albay.
DOLE Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, who graced the program’s launching, said the assistance from the government will help the beneficiaries earn stable and secure income.
“Sa umagang ito nilulunsad po natin ang isang programa na layunin na tulungan ang mga na-displace, mababa ang kalagayan sa pamumuhay na gusto po natin maiangat. Pagyamanin po ninyo ang aming tulong… kayo po ay mapalad sa mga napili. Kayo po ang una kasi mabilis po kayo kumilos,” Laguesma said in his message.
RD Bicol Ma. Zenaida A. Angara-Campita said the distribution was made as they launched their “Pagkain Oragon sa Daungan” project which aims to provide self-employment opportunities and uplift the vendors’ life conditions. The project cost, she said, amounted to PHP2.5 million.
Majority of the beneficiaries are ambulant vendors who were displaced from formerly dubbed happy lane street food in Legazpi. But with this Pagkaing Oragon project, they are given an opportunity to start anew in their food vending business, equipped with new trainings to sustain their livelihood.
“The DOLE and AKB entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to implement a poverty reduction project. We (DOLE) provided the nego-karts and other livelihood paraphernalia to the 67 beneficiaries while the AKB through Rep. Elizaldy Co allocated space for the kiosks that are accessible to passengers, tourists, and the community at Tektone Village in Legazpi City,” RD Campita added.
RD Campita highlighted: “Bicol, being branded as one of the Tourist Destination Regions was focused our livelihood on tourism and allied services because it can generate more employment. Suffice it to say that the centrality of DOLE livelihood assistance is geared towards Job generation. These food kiosks also feature best tourism spots in each province.”
She added that this initiative will be replicated in other provinces in the region. “Ang proyekto pong ito ay dadalhin din po natin sa iba pang ports ng mga probinsiya ng Bicol.”
AKB Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said the DOLE project which is being implemented in cooperation with other stakeholders, also aims to introduce traditional Bicolano food to visitors and at the same time promote the tourist destinations.
“Ito po ay magpapatuloy bilang tulong sa small vendors. We are also expecting to open the same project in Pilar and Matnog in Sorsogon and in Pasacao, Camarines Sur. DOLE will provide 10 nego-karts per port with free provisions, equipment and they will undergo trainings,” Bongalon said.
One of the food kiosks recipients, 42-year-old Jeriwil Soriano from Barangay BayBay, said he is very thankful for the project.
“Ako po ay nagpapasalamat, 10 years na po ako nagtitinda, kung saan saan ako naglalako ng aking paninda lalo na pag umuulan, hindi ko alam kung saan pupunta. Dumating itong AKB at DOLE meron tulong nagpunta ako sa opisina nila, salamat at meron na. Maganda po siya at maayos, safe kami and mas kampante na ako, para bagang tirahan na meron na akong sarili,” Soriano said.
Another beneficiary, 54-year-old coconut vendor Jocelyn Nares of Barangay Bitano, said the assistance will provide her with additional income needed to support her kids. “Thank you for the opportunity to sustain my source of income and employment. This will augment the income of my family”.
Meanwhile, DOT, DTI, RTWPB, TESDA and Bicol OSHNet convereged in the implementation of the Service Quality Improvement Program (SQIP) for this project, a strategic objective that maximizes organizational performance, reinforce efficiency in the delivery of programs and services, and urge consistency in policy and program implementation.
Present during the launching of the Pagkaing Oragon were DOLE USec Atty. Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, ASec Atty. Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, Congressman Atty. Raul Angelo D. Bongalon , Analyn S. Borcegue, RTWPB Board Secretary Francia Ocmer, TESDA RD Archie A. Grande, DTI RD Dindo G. Nabol, DOT RD Herbie B. Aguas, Bicol OSHNet Dr. Christopher D. Guinan, OSHC Bicol Focal James Andayog, DOLE Assistant RD Imelda E. Romanillos, DOLE Albay Head Ching Banania, DOLE Regional DILEEP Focal Cecile Andalis, DOLE Albay Livelihood Focal Olga Ludovice and DOLE Livelihood Development Specialist Rigel Cereza. (DOLE Bicol)
