Lapu-Lapu City folk benefit from DOLE, USJ-R project

CEBU, Philippines - More than 200 poor families of Sudtunggan Relocation Site in Basak, Lapu-Lapu City benefitted from the joint project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R).

Called the “Kabuhayan Starter Kit,” the project aims to provide beneficiaries an alternative livelihood.

USJ-R and DOLE yesterday awarded to recipients kits containing materials for cosmetology, jewelry making, sewing and cooking that they can use to start a small business.

DOLE-7 director Elias Cayanong said the starter kit, however, is not limited to the distribution of materials. Under the project, beneficiaries will be given skills trainings to be provided by USJ-R under its Institute of Non-formal Education and Community Outreach Program (INFECOP).

The program, an initiative of the USJ-R-INFECOP dubbed as the Project Pakigdait sa Sudtunggan Relocation Site, is a five-year community development undertaking for the residents of the area. DOLE enrolled the project under the Kabuhayan Starter Kit program, believing that it will help residents become self-employed so they can sustain their living in a long term basis.

A memorandum of agreement was signed last October 6 between USJ-R and DOLE formalizing their partnership for the project.

DOLE is set to shoulder P400,000 from the total P1.6 million project cost. The livelihood assistance was granted to the recipients early so they can start earning immediately even if the Pakigdait sa Sudtunggan project is still yet to be formalized by the second week of November.

INFECOP overall coordinator Fr. Amando Emmanuel Bolilia said their goal is to preserve or bring back the dignity of these people.

“The project, however, is more than jobs,” said Dr. Edgar Detoya, dean of College of Commerce.

“It is not just providing people with jobs but also improving their lives through spiritual and values formation, personality development and infrastructure development among many others that we will try to give them.” — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/LPM (THE FREEMAN)