The Department of Labor and Employment-Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (DOLE-BWSC), Financial Management Service (FMS), and the DOLE-CAR Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) focal person and staff held a four-day monitoring of the 2017 and 2018 livelihood projects awarded in the region last October 3 to 6, 2022.
The four-day activity kicked-off with a “Desk Monitoring and a Focused Group Discussion” at the DOLE-CAR Regional Office, which was participated by the BWSC and FMS teams, DOLE-CAR Technical Support and Services (TSSD) Division Chief George G. Lubin, Jr., regional and provincial DILEEP focal persons, and Livelihood Development Specialists (LDS) through a hybrid physical and online setup.
“The strong partnership with Local Government Units and the Public Employment Services Offices, (and) effective support and monitoring by the Field Offices are the viable pillars which sustain mutual productivity and profitability of the livelihood recipients”
Site visit of livelihood beneficiaries were conducted in the provinces of Abra and Benguet.
Lilia Baldos of Quiadaoen, San Juan, Abra, was granted a sari-sari store (small retail shop) livelihood when her son, a soldier, lost his leg in the performance of his duties.
Awarded in 2017, their store was provided with the starting stock such food and beverages, and basic household necessities as the goods for them to sell in their area.
Beneficiaries under the group category includes the Banglolao Association of Women from Bucay, Abra. This women-organization had experience and knowledge from trainings on cacao processing.
They received their livelihood project in 2018 in the form of raw materials and equipment such as refrigerator, stainless steel working table, sealer, and weighing and packaging machine to name a few.
The 2018 grant for the Farad Multipurpose Cooperative of barangay Bycasan, Taloy Norte, Tuba, Benguet was subsequently visited by the monitoring team.
Composed of differently abled individuals, the association showcased their skills in steel work and fabrication, and manufacture of steel furniture. Their products include wheelchairs, retrofitted motorcycles and cars for differently-abled individuals based on their physical needs, and even household furniture such as chairs, upholsteries, and ovens.
The San Andreas Strawberry Growers Association of barangay Sto. Tomas, Baguio City, features a group of individuals engaged in strawberry farming and processing. Awarded in 2018, their livelihood project on “Enhancement of Strawberry Farming and Jam Production” thrives with the delivery of produce even during the pandemic. Their association continues its impact in their locality, encouraging nearby residents to participate in their endeavor.
Ms. Marilyn Rosuello was awarded a snack vending livelihood project last 2018. Her cooking and snack-preparing skills aided in her livelihood, enabling her to send her children to school. Her food stall, no more than 3 square meters, caters to various passersby such as students and office workers. To date, her food business has established a steady number of consumers from surrounding areas.
The four-day monitoring concluded with an exit conference, discussing the initial assessment of the BWSC Monitoring Team with their comments and recommendations for the existing livelihood projects. They also acknowledged the good practices maintained by the beneficiaries in sustaining and developing their livelihood grants or enterprises.
The monitoring team commended the strong partnership of the DOLE-CAR Field Offices with their respective Local Government Units (LGUs) and the Public Employment Services Offices (PESOs), coupled with effective support and monitoring by the FOs as the viable pillars which sustain mutual productivity and profitability of the livelihood recipients.
end//Daryll B. Ponard with initial report from Ms. Joyette C. Alonzo, LEO III, DOLE-CAR TSSD
LEO III – FNLI