The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) brought renewed hope to families with its DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) through the distribution of livelihood packages to 33 parents of child laborers in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
Families from the towns of Cuyapo, Guimba, and Aliaga each received Php 30,000 worth of livelihood packages, which include four backyard goat-raising projects, 27 sari-sari stores with rice and vegetables, and two rice farms, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to strengthening family livelihoods and addressing child labor.
The beneficiaries, parents of profiled child laborers between 2022 and 2023, are expected to use the livelihood projects to support their families and keep their children in school.
DOLE Nueva Ecija Field Office Chief Maylene Evangelista emphasized that the program is meant to serve as a bridge for families, so children will no longer be forced to work.
“Nauunawaan namin ang realidad na mahirap ang buhay, kaya’t hangad naming kayo’y matulungan lalo na sa pag-aaral ng inyong mga anak. Ang handog namin ngayon ay unang hakbang lamang, at kayo ang magpapatuloy nito,” Chief LEO Evangelista said.
Aside from Evangelista, the turnover was also led by Guimba LGU Executive Assistant Maribeth Galapon, Guimba PESO Manager Honey Lee Wy, Aliaga PESO Manager Maricris Aguilar, and Cuyapo PESO Manager Sharon Bascos.
Through the DILP or Kabuhayan Program, DOLE continues to address the problem of child labor and to empower vulnerable, disadvantaged, and marginalized workers by providing them with the tools to start livelihood projects and support their families. END/DOLERO3/djs
