TAV BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFTS THROUGH DOLE’S INTEGRATED LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM

As the lone clothing shop on their barangay that caters to almost half of the residents of Calatagan, Pilar Firme continues to create wedding gowns and uniforms, among others, despite her age, to support her family and provide service to her “kababayan”.

Nanay Pilar, a 72-year-old resident of Brgy. Lucsuhin, Calatagan, owns a small clothing/sewing business where they make wedding gowns, uniforms, sportswear, as well as costumes for more than two decades.

Before building her business, Nanay Pilar started as an employee at a local hotel. They also had a piggery, which was their main source of income until the African Swine Fever (ASF) hit their municipality and eventually killed their pigs.

“May babayun din po kami dati mga sampung baboy kaso noong nagka-ASF namatay lahat. Kaya halos mga tira-tira na lang ng kinita namin ang ginagastos namin noon,” Nanay Pilar shared.

After resigning from her work, Nanay Pilar decided to build her own. However, a journey in becoming a successful business is not always an easy one. When the pandemic hit the world, Nanay Pilar’s business was one of the small enterprises that were forced to temporarily shut down due to lack of customers.

After the pandemic, they slowly started to open and generate income. Their business has helped her children through schooling until they had their own families. 

As her passion, she continues to operate her shop and provide service to her community. 

Pilar Firme receives her new sewing machine and sewing materials to support her clothing shop. (Photo by Shaina Ariane Masangkay/ DOLE-BPO)

Small business owners like Nanay Pillar and other ten beneficiaries, who underwent Technical Advisory Visits, received help from the Department of Labor and Employment through its Integrated Livelihood program to support and enhance their business endeavors.

The beneficiaries were awarded their requested equipment and materials deemed vital in their operations. The packages include coffee shop, carwash, and auto detailing package, printing package, motorcycle parts and repair, karinderya, sewing, and barbecue packages. 

Beneficiaries receive various supplies and equipment as additional assets to their businesses. (Photo by Shaina Ariane Masangkay/ DOLE-BPO)

“Sakto po na nabigyan ako ng bagong sewing machine kasi ang ginagamit namin ay nasira kamakailan lang at medyo mabagal na rin dahil sa katagalan kaya malaking tulong po itong binigay ng DOLE,” Nanay Pillar said.

Beneficiaries are all smiles as they receive their early Christmas gifts from DOLE.(Photo by Shaina Ariane Masangkay/ DOLE-BPO)

According to Labor and Employment Officer III and focal person of DILP, Ms. Salvacion Kalalo, the packages will serve as a step for the beneficiaries to further expand their livelihood. 

Ms. Kalalo then reminded the beneficiaries of future visits to monitor the status of their livelihood projects and ensure that the materials given were used efficiently.

Ms. Salvacion Kalalo welcomes and explains the livelihood packages to be awarded to the beneficiaries. (Photo by Shaina Ariane Masangkay/ DOLE-BPO)

Realizing the need to support micro-enterprises and starting businesses, DOLE continues to create programs, such that of the DILP, to give Filipinos a chance to build and stand on their own, as well as promote local products and services.