Malapatan, Sarangani Province – As part of its efforts to end child labor, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XII, through its Sarangani Field Office (SARFO) facilitated the awarding of livelihood starter kits under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) benefitting 32 parents of child laborers amounting to Php 772,990.00 at Barangay Sapu Masla, this municipality.

On Wednesday, June 15, DOLE XII Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante spearheaded the awarding together with SARFO Head Wiilie B. Concepcion. The event was also graced by Vice Mayor Jean Delos Santos, Barangay Captain Moner T. Calulong, and PESO Manager Alirieza Nicolas.

In his message, RD Agravante inspired the beneficiaries by sharing the stories of successful recipients of the program and urged them to be models of success in their own community.

The beneficiaries were based on the results of the profiling of areas with high incidence of child laborers who undergone needs assessment to remove them from child labor.

As part of the program, the beneficiaries are expected to prioritize the education of their children and sustain their projects as one source of their income.

The beneficiaries received tools and jigs in dressmaking, food vending, small-scale fishing, and tricycle side car. The package also includes a group micro-insurance under GSIS.

Salvia Abedin, a beneficiary of the starter kit, thanked the department for the livelihood opportunity and promised to use and sustain her chosen project for her children.

DILP or Kabuhayan Program is a grant assistance for capacity-building on livelihood for the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers, either for individual or group livelihood projects. End/MLBalongo/RRGarcia/CKBataga