In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration’s commitment to empower and bring renewed hope to workers in more vulnerable situations, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) awarded livelihood assistance to a solo parent and a displaced worker in the CALABARZON Region.
In the November 26 episode of the radio program “Sagot Kita, Tulong at Trabaho Kasama ang DOLE” with Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) Director Leilani M. Reynoso, two callers—Maricel Nery, a 54-year-old solo parent from Dasmarinas City, Cavite, and Elfa Vargas, a 53-year-old displaced worker from Santa Rosa, Laguna, aired their livelihood situations and requested assistance from DOLE.
BWSC Director Reynoso endorsed the callers’ concerns to the DOLE CALABARZON to assess their living conditions and current sources of income. During the site validation on November 27, 2025, Nery shared her struggle to provide for her family, especially with her children’s special conditions: one diagnosed with autism and the youngest with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). She explained that her income from reselling peanut-based products was insufficient to cover her children’s medical needs and her own hypertension maintenance.
In another site validation held on November 28, Vargas recounted that she previously worked as a sewer producing school uniforms until the company owner passed away, leaving her no choice but to separate from the company. She added that her youngest child had to stop schooling due to the resulting financial constraints.
Following the validation and assessment, DOLE provided livelihood packages to Nery and Vargas on December 8—coinciding with DOLE’s 92nd anniversary celebration. Ms. Nery received a home-based rice-retailing livelihood worth P35,840.00, while Ms. Vargas was granted a tailoring livelihood package worth P49,545.20. Both beneficiaries were oriented on the proper utilization of the livelihood projects and informed about the required reporting process to ensure the sustainability of their livelihood projects.
With tears of gratitude, Nery and Vargas thanked the Labor Department during the December 9 episode of the radio program, sharing that the livelihood projects will help them provide for the needs of their families.
