Tabuk City, Kalinga – To help them establish or strengthen their own sources of income, a total of seventy-five marginalized individuals in Kalinga will receive over ₱2.4 million in livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment – Kalinga (DOLE-Kalinga).
In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera on January 22, 2026, DOLE-Kalinga Senior Officer Emmanuel Barcellano said the livelihood support is being provided through the agency’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), specifically its livelihood (Kabuhayan) component.
The program aims to support vulnerable and marginalized workers by providing sustainable income-generating opportunities and promoting self-employment.
Under the program, the agency provides beneficiaries with tools, equipment, and starter kits for various livelihood projects aligned with their skills and capacities.
These include carinderia operations, snack vending, baked goods vending, talipapa (small retail stores), street food vending, paresan, fried chicken vending, vegetable gardening, rice and corn field plowing and rental services, sustainable mixed-crop farming, carpentry services, electrical services, and hog-raising projects.
Barcellano said the 75 beneficiaries belong to vulnerable sectors, including parolees, persons with disabilities (PWDs), parents of child laborers, former rebels, victims of calamities, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), and self-employed individuals.
Of the total target recipients, 47 beneficiaries have already received their livelihood packages earlier this week, while the remaining recipients are scheduled to receive their assistance in the coming days.
According to Barcellano, the total amount of assistance released for the project reached ₱2,428,540.00.
In his message to the beneficiaries, Barcellano urged them to value and properly manage the livelihood aid provided, emphasizing that the program is intended to serve as a starting point toward long-term self-sufficiency.
He reminded the recipients that discipline, perseverance, and responsible use of the tools and starter kits are essential in making their livelihood projects sustainable and profitable.
“Congratulations to all the beneficiaries of the individual livelihood projects. This assistance is intended to help you start or strengthen your source of income and support your family’s daily needs. Though you come from different situations, this program gives you an opportunity to become self-reliant and productive. Use your projects responsibly, work hard, and remain patient, as success takes time. The Department of Labor and Employment believes in your potential and will continue to support you. May this assistance help improve your lives and secure a better future for your families,” Barcellano said.
.png)
