September 6, 2022, Santo Tomas, PAMPANGA - The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. III through its Pampanga Provincial Field Office awarded starter kits to fifty (50) skilled sewers from the municipality of Santo Tomas.

In her message during the awarding, DOLE Pampanga Head Arlene N. Tolentino encouraged the beneficiaries to ‘strive and become successful’ through the opportunity given to them. “DOLE and LGU Santo Tomas worked together to equip you with the necessary tools and equipment to start your livelihood. Now, it’s your turn to enhance and sustain what you are given to ensure your success as entrepreneurs,” Tolentino said.

The Kabuhayan starter kits worth Php20,000.00 each are under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), a program that aims to provide better livelihood opportunities to reduce poverty and uplift the lives of marginalized and vulnerable workers.

Prior to the awarding of high-speed sewing machines and raw materials, DOLE Pampanga provided an Entrepreneurial Development Training for the beneficiaries which included a training on basic bookkeeping, basic marketing, and 5S of good housekeeping.

For its part, the local government of Santo Tomas commissioned the sewer-beneficiaries to produce school uniforms for the scholars of the said town. This is through the initiative of Mayor Johnny Sambo and Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Charlene Ocampo.

The distribution of starter kits was held on August 25, 2022 at the Sto. Tomas Evacuation Center, Sto. Tomas, Pampanga.

END / P.M. Edejer