In Tarlac, 40 Aetas receive P200-T DOLE livelihood assistance

In Tarlac, 40 Aetas receive P200-T DOLE livelihood assistance

TARLAC CITY – Some 40 Aetas from Bamban, Tarlac are now budding entrepreneurs thanks to a P200-T livelihood assistance they recently received from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

DOLE Regional Director Atty. Ana Dione reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the indigenous beneficiaries reside from remote villages of Sitio San Martin and Mabilog.

“We are reaching out to far flung areas of Central Luzon with the goal of providing more livelihood programs for marginalized individuals and groups. We are hopeful that through our help, those who do not qualify for formal employment, would have gainful opportunities by venturing into small businesses instead,” Dione said.

DOLE Tarlac Field Office head Efren Reyes said that the beneficiaries received their livelihood assistance in form of 200 pieces of rice cavans for their rice-retailing project.

Sr. Labor and Employment Officer David Estanislao, Bamban PESO Manager Teresita Ronquillo, and Skills Registry System Coordinator Desire Julian, facilitated the distribution of rice cavans to said beneficiaries.

Reyes also noted that the livelihood assistance was sourced from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

“We have partnered and coordinated with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of Bambam in profiling and determining the possible livelihood assistance for our Aeta-beneficiaries,” Reyes explained, adding:

“Based on our consultation with them, the most viable project for them is rice-retailing since the production of rice in their uplands is not enough to supply their community’s consumption because they plant rice only once a year, hence, majority of their lands were planted with other commodities such as sweet potato, taro, corn and ginger.”

The beneficiaries have also undergone an Entrepreneurial Development Training (EDT) to ensure that they can manage and transform their livelihood projects into formidable and sustainable businesses.

The livelihood assistance is a blessing for new opportunities says Loida Punzalan, a group leader representing one of two Aeta communities which received the livelihood assistance.

“Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa DOLE at PESO sa ipinagkaloob nilang tulong pangkabuhayan sa amin. Dati, ang mithiin lamang namin ay kahit hindi na kami yumaman, basta kumain lang nang sapat ang aming mga pamilya, pero dahil sa mga natutunan naming sa inyo, nais na naming mapa-unlad ang kabuhayan na ito at makatulong sa iba pa naming kasamahang katutubo,” Punzalan said.

Lina Sanchez, who represents the other group leader, added that they will strive to do their best in making their rice-retailing project sustainable for their communities.

“Umasa po kayo na ang ipinagkaloob po ninyong tulong sa amin ay aming pagyayamanin upang umangat ang antas ng buhay ng aming mga pamilya,” Sanchez said.

The DILEEP is one of the flagship programs of the DOLE that is geared to uplift the lives of marginalized individuals or groups.

END/Jerry Borja with reporting from Desire Julian