Rebel returnees, skilled workers receive Kabuhayan starter kits

From the Philippine Information Agency (May 30): Rebel returnees, skilled workers receive Kabuhayan starter kits 

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in partnership with the 53rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion, Philippine Army on Thursday distributed P871,000 worth of livelihood assistance under its Kabuhayan Starter Kit (KSK) project.

In a simple ceremony held at Barangay Tiguha, this municipality, identified rebel returnees and skilled workers in the municipalities of Lapuyan and San Miguel received the starter kits which would go a long way to improve their lives.

“Dako kaayo ang akong kalipay ning gihimo sa DOLE ug Philippine Army nga pag-apod-apod sa mga starter kits dinhi sa atong barangay. Kini nga kalihokan tataw nga nagpadayag sa dakong pagpakabana sa atong gobyerno dinhi kanato. Sa pagkatinuod, gibalik sa gobyerno ang buhis nga atong gibayad kanila pinaagi sa ilang dalaygon nga programa alang sa panginabuhian,” Punong Barangay Felicito Setit declared. (I am very grateful that the DOLE and PA conducted the distribution of starter kits in our barangay. This activity clearly demonstrates the deep concern of the government for us. Indeed, the government has returned the taxes we paid  thru this laudable livelihood program).

Vice Mayor Joel Sulong said Lapuyan and San Miguel are very lucky since the beneficiaries can now have their own livelihood to uplift their economic status.

“Ang inyong dugay nga gipangandoy nga makabaton ug kaugalingon nga livelihood activity maangkon na ninyo tungod kay gihatud dinhi mismo sa DOLE ug Philippine Army ang mga starter kits sa atong tugkaran. Magpadayon ang inyong panginabuhi gamit ang mga starter kits, makasuporta ug makapa-eskwela namo sa inyong mga anak ug tungod niini masinati  nato ang kalinaw sa atong dapit,” Sulong challeng(Your long time dream of having a livelihood activity can now be fulfilled because DOLE and PA personally delivered the starter kits at our doorsteps.  Your livelihood carries on using the starter kits, you can support and send your children to school. With this, we can experience peace in our place.)

DOLE chief Camilo Encila, Jr. said the KSK project is designed not only to create self employment but also to augment the income of the informal sector of our society especially the farmers.

“With this project, Encila said, I am optimistic that your dream of improving your life will be fulfilled,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Virgilio Hamos, Jr., commanding officer of the 53rd IB lauded DOLE for launching the KSK project saying that it is in line with the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan’s approach to win the hearts and minds of the people.

“The project is an effective strategy of bringing the government closer to the people. “I hope that by cultivating the partnership that we already have with DOLE, we will bring peace in the remote communities,” Hamos opined.

Hamos appealed to the beneficiaries to be responsible in taking care of the starter kits and to use it properly because these would be a great help to augment their family income.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371464579519/rebel-returnees-skilled-workers-receive-kabuhayan-starter-kits-