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DOLE 6 dedicates Kalayaan Day for poverty alleviation
Iloilo City- In line with the celebration of the 126th Independence Day Celebration on June 12, 2024, the Department of Labor Regional Office 6 will conduct various activities including the Job Fair, Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para sa Mga Mangagagawa centers, Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) pay-out and the release of livelihood assistance to parents of child laborers to promote a child-labor free Philippines and the freedom from poverty.
With this year’s theme, Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan, DOLE focuses on poverty alleviation by providing job and livelihood opportunities not only to the formal sector but also to the informal workers who are considered among the underserved, unserved or hard to reach sector of society.
As of date, 6,721 job vacancies were registered from 54 local companies and employers for the Job Fair to be held in SM City Bacolod. It is expected that more opportunities will be offered to jobseekers as more companies signifies their intention to participate.
DOLE RO 6 also organized the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Para sa Manggagawa in all six (6) provinces of the region. 196 enterprises will offer fresh and nutritious agricultural produce, processed foods and locally manufactured products such as bags and garments at a very low prices. Apart from providing a venue for local farmers and producers, the Kadiwa ng Pangulo also provides employment opportunity for 327 sellers/TUPAD beneficiaries who will benefit from the Php741,450.00 TUPAD package.
Giving emphasis to the government’s concern for the marginalized sector, 27, 959 informal workers will benefit in a simultaneous Independence Day TUPAD payout in all provinces. A total of Php 146,367,484.00 TUPAD package will be disbursed for worker’s wages, PPEs and GSIS group personal accident insurance.
Batang Malaya Celebration is DOLEs Independence Day symbolic activity to highlight the government pursuit to free the marginalized sector from the bondage of poverty and to end and eliminate child labor. As active member of the National Council Against Child Labor, DOLE undertakes initiatives and activities towards a child labor-free Philippines such as the Project Angel Tree and other activities in relation to DOLE Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program.
Poverty alleviation through livelihood assistance is one of DOLE initiatives to keep the children away from child labor. A Php3,030,000 worth of checks will be released for various livelihood projects of 101 beneficiaries including 65 parents of child laborers and marginalized fisherfolks and for Sewing Project for Hamod People’s Village Homeowners.
On top of the livelihood assistance, the provincial offices of DOLE RO 6 will also conduct Project Angel Tree that provides an array of social services reminding child laborers that they are not alone in riding the waves of life. Benefactors or “angels” shared their generosity to the children through school supplies, food packs, and personal gifts.
“As we celebrate the country’s 125th Independence Day Celebration we focus on breaking the chain of bondage of poverty which is the main reason why children are deprived of their education and rights and force them into forced labor, “said Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr., ‘giving workers job opportunities, and the informal sector emergency employment and livelihood is our way to alleviate their economic status. Jobs and livelihood is synonymous to food on their table and education to their children.”
