TARLAC – Twenty-seven (27) parents of child laborers from various municipalities in Tarlac province received livelihood starter kits worth P15,000 to P20,000 each from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
In line with the government’s efforts to address and eliminate child labor, parents of identified and profiled child laborers in year 2019 were provided with livelihood packs for them to earn additional income and be able to support their children’s education.
A total of P500,000 worth of livelihood packages were distributed to the 27 beneficiaries. Some 18 parent-beneficiaries opted to venture on sari-sari / meat and vegetable store, 4 are into rice retailing, while 5 others are into selling merienda or cooked snacks, soap adn dishwashing liquid, ready-to-wear clothes, or providing nail care home services.
Mariel Quizon, 35 years old and a mother of four, was one of the recipients of DOLE’s livelihood starter kits. “Simula nung nag-lockdown ay wala na kaming panggastos at umaasa na lang sa relief at tulong ng aking bayaw. Nahinto ang aking asawa sa pagtatrabaho,” Quizon narrated in a phone interview. (Since the lockdown, we lost our source of income and relied on relief goods and support from my brother-in-law. My husband had stopped working.)
Upon receipt of the starter kit from DOLE, Quizon reopened her brother-in-law’s small sari-sari store at his home and currently uses this stall to sell the grocery items and rice DOLE has provided. Along with other beneficiaries, Mariel thanked DOLE for the livelihood kits they received. “Maraming salamat po sa DOLE dahil nakakaraos na kami ngayon lalo na’t sa panahong ito,” Mariel said. (Thanks to DOLE, we can get through these hard times.)
Meanwhile, Regional Director Ma. Zenaida A. Angara Campita reminded the parent-beneficiaries to sustain and make good use of the livelihood given to them. “With the continuous support from the government, coupled with your perseverance, we hope to see your children in school thriving on learning and their individual passions,” Campira noted.
