160 retrenched workers get P10T livelihood aid

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment-7 has released a total of P1.6 million worth of livelihood assistance to over 100 retrenched workers from Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City.

DOLE-7 director Exequiel Sarcauga said the 160 workers from four MEPZ locators were either retrenched due to company losses or redundancy of position.

The labor department said it has released a starter kit worth P10,000 each for the affected workers to start a sari-sari store. The starter kit includes sacks of rice, grocery items and other personal necessities.

Under DOLE's guidelines, beneficiaries should come from informal and marginalized sector. Displaced workers are given priority to avail of the livelihood program.

Sarcauga explained that displaced workers are those in the formal or informal sectors who became unemployed, underemployed, or have lost livelihood as a result of natural and man-made disasters.

"We saw a big opportunity of coming to the workers' rescue. By providing them starter kits, we hope to help them become productive, augment their income, and continue providing for their families' basic needs," Sarcauga said.

Sarcauga said the starter kits provide a working capital solely for the purchase of equipment, tools, and jigs, raw materials, among others, to be used by beneficiaries for their livelihood undertaking.

"We hope that beneficiaries would take care of and put to good use what government gave them because it's not every day that the DOLE provides assistance to the people. If their outputs are okay, then the DOLE is ready to provide them enhancement when necessary," he said. (FREEMAN)