LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE. Government officials led by Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba join the distribution of livelihood projects to local associations in Ilocos Norte on Friday (June 12, 2026). The Department of Labor and Employment granted a total of PHP3.1 million to seven associations composed of 198 beneficiaries. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday granted PHP3.1 million in livelihood assistance to 198 beneficiaries in Ilocos Norte to help them build longer-term sources of income beyond temporary relief.
Janelyn Martin, head of DOLE-Ilocos Norte, said the delivery of livelihood aid during the celebration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day and Kalayaan Job Fair at SM City Laoag is one of the department’s flagship interventions for informal workers, vulnerable sectors and community-based groups seeking sustainable livelihood opportunities.
“This activity is part of the nationwide DOLE Trabaho Agad initiative and in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration in expanding access to decent work opportunities and helping more Filipinos achieve productive and sustainable employment,” Martin said during the program’s opening, which was attended by Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba and other local officials.
Beneficiaries lauded the initiative, expressing gratitude to the government for the prompt support.
“This is a great opportunity for us to be of help to our families because most of us are unemployed mothers. In return, we will do our best to make it work for the benefit of our families and the community,” Imelda Cabanatan, president of Mabaleng Food Processors Association (MFPA), said in an interview on Friday.
The MFPA received a PHP498,763 grant from DOLE to improve its sweet potato processing.
With the grant, Cabanatan said her association will be able to improve the quality of its sweet potato chips, which come in five variants — cheese, garlic, barbeque, spicy and honey.
The MFPA products are currently being sold at government-organized trade fairs, including the Kadiwa ng Pangulo pop-up stores.
The Solid Alliance Association, led by its president, Elimilia Balicao of Barangay Santiago in Marcos town, said they also received a grant of PHP342,880 from DOLE.
“We hope to grow our small enterprise (egg-laying) to sustain our livelihood,” Balicao said in an interview, adding that she worked in the Middle East as a housekeeper for 14 years and returned to the country for good last year.
“I am so thankful for this opportunity because I am not one of those who got lucky working abroad,” she said.
After the livelihood projects were turned over to qualified beneficiaries, Barba said more of this kind will be rolled out in the future to improve Filipinos’ lives.
“Make good of your chosen livelihood and expect more support from the government to provide new opportunities and better future for our nation,” he said.
Government livelihood grants are provided through startup materials for projects such as sewing, food processing, agricultural and livestock ventures, fishing and other community-based enterprises suited to local needs and market opportunities.
Under the program, individuals may receive livelihood starter kits worth up to PHP50,000, while groups or associations may receive assistance of up to PHP3 million, depending on the approved project. (PNA)