Filipino workers across the country showed how small dreams can grow into sustainable ventures with the support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
DOLE honored at the 2025 Kabuhayan Awards the outstanding beneficiaries and implementers of its flagship Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which provides livelihood tools and equipment to individuals and groups to help them build sustainable sources of income.
This initiative aligns with the directive of the Marcos Administration to strengthen support for workers, whose hard work and ingenuity make them vital contributors to the country’s economic growth.
Caraga’s Lynn Sheryl T. Reasol won the national award for Best DOLE-Assisted Livelihood Project under the Individual Category for her Rattan Making Project, while the Hinatuan Seaweed Farmers Fishermen Cooperative, also from Caraga, took the top spot in the Group Category for its Seaweed Farming Project.
For the Individual Category, Bicol’s Tablea Processing Project was named 1st runner-up, while Davao’s Wooden Craft and Manufacturing Project placed 2nd runner-up. For groups, the Northern and Southern Sagada Indigenous Guides Association from the Cordillera Administrative Region earned 1st runner-up honors for its Eco Tour Guiding Project, while SOCCSKSARGEN’s Makilala Transport Cooperative placed 2nd runner-up for its Gasoline Station Project.
“Lubos-lubos ang aming kasiyahan na makita ang pag-unlad ng inyong kabuhayan at kung paano ito ay nagdulot ng positibong epekto sa inyong pamilya at komunidad,” said Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, who led the awarding ceremony also noted the wide range of successful ventures under DILP from 2021-2023.
In the individual category, many beneficiaries thrived in food-related businesses such as fried chicken, native delicacies, suman, sisig, tablea, and frozen goods, while others excelled in crafts, tailoring, shoemaking, furniture, beauty services, and retail. For groups, enterprises spanned beauty products, farming, souvenirs, banana chips, herbal soap, bread-making, handicrafts, agriculture, eco-tourism, restaurants, and even transport services.
Meanwhile, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bicol, and Region 9 emerged as the top-performing regions in livelihood implementation, while Bicol, Davao, and CALABARZON led in the implementation of the TUPAD program.
