The Department of Labor and Employment Region IX (DOLE-IX) and the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor initiated a P5-million livelihood program for marginalized communities in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The project aims to provide urban poor families with opportunities to become micro-entrepreneurs instead of relying solely on aid.
DOLE-IX Regional Director Albert Gutib said the program was first discussed in 2025 when PCUP Commissioner Reynaldo Galupo requested assistance for local beneficiaries.
“This project was practically sealed with a handshake as early as the third quarter of 2025 when Commissioner Galupo personally sought our assistance for several PCUP beneficiaries during his visit in Zamboanga last June,” Gutib said.
The program entered its documentation phase in January 2026 following consultations with urban poor organizations and proposal evaluations.
Galupo added that the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos’s agenda for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.
Selection of beneficiaries, procurement, and approval took nearly a year to ensure transparency and fairness.
Community members welcomed the program, saying it provides tools to improve livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities.
