Over P.7M livelihood aid given to 27 beneficiaries of DOLE Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Kalinga awarded livelihood assistance to twenty-seven beneficiaries of its Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) on August 21. 

The DILP, also known as the “Kabuhayan Program,” aims to provide livelihood grants to deserving individuals. 

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, DOLE-Kalinga Senior Labor and Employment Officer Emmanuel D. Barcellano shared that a total of P738,972.50 worth of start-up packages under the program were given to the beneficiaries in the province on said date.  

“Kaaw-award tayo lang ti livelihood di kalman” (August 22). Uray holiday ket nagtrabaho tayo para lang maited tayo dagitoy support tayo kanyada. Under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), there are 27 individuals nga naekkan ti livelihood assistance. So it was an individual livelihood assistance. More on retailing, like rice retailing, feeds retailing…,” said Barcellano.  

According to him, the recipients came from the vulnerable sectors prioritized by DOLE, which include rebel returnees, persons with disabilities, parents or guardians of child laborers in the province, and referrals from the LGUs, as well as qualified walk-in applicants.  

Before receiving the support, the beneficiaries underwent a thorough validation and verification process of the agency. 

“Amin nga beneficiaries tayo, sakbay nga maekkan da tulong, ma-evaluate da, i-verify tayo. Like koma dagitoy rebel returnees, i-verify tayo diay PNP, Army. Dagitoy PWDs, i-check tayo dagitoy IDs da. Dagitoy met walk-ins or dagitoy um-umay iman agap-apply kadatayo, kitan tayo ah nu talaga met lang nga they are classified as poor or deserve da diay maited nga tulong, and nu kaya da met lang talaga nga i-manage to ti maited nga puunan kanyada,” Barcellano added.  

The DOLE officer revealed that the standard start-up package being given by the agency under the said program is worth P30,000 per beneficiary, but can be increased to P50,000, depending on the proposal and capacity of the applicant to manage a business.  

As for those interested individuals who also want to avail of the program, one can apply at the DOLE office located at Purok 6, Bulanao Centro, Tabuk City. Expect proper evaluation, and that the release of the start-up support will be given once funds are available.