DOLE releases fund support for “negokarts” program in Ilocos

LAOAG CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The Department of Labor and Employement (DOLE) in Region 1 released P705,000-worth of livelihood package services for the 47 ambulant vendors operating in the towns of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

Director Grace Ursua of DOLE Region 1 said the livelihood assistance was formally turned–over in separate rites in the towns of Currimao (Ilocos Norte) and Santiago (Ilocos Sur) on October 23.

She said the vending carts purchased through a P360,000 DOLE assistance were given to the local government unit (LGU) of Santiago, Ilocos Sur for 24 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

Twenty- three vending carts were handed – over to ambulant vendors in Currimao, Ilocos Norte as part of a P345,000 worth of livelihood assistance earlier awarded to the LGU.

Ursua said the assistance came from the DOLE’s Negosyo sa Kariton (Negokart) project, a livelihood strategy.

Negokart program aims to establish or enhance the capacities of ambulant vendors for sustainable livelihood by providing them package of services such as provision of vending carts, raw materials and tools; trainings on basic entrepreneurship, productivity and business management and enrolment in social insurance.

The project assures the beneficiaries that they can carry out their livelihood freely in their respective localities through business permits from the LGU. The negokart assistance for the two LGUs consists of vending carts and working capital.

The LGU – Santiago allotted P74,000 for the training expenses and for the accessories, parts and air pump for the vending carts while LGU – Currimao gave as counterpart an amount of P85,000 for the training expenses, business permits and licenses and monitoring. (Freddie G. Lazaro with reports from Department of Labor and Employment)