DOLE IV-A KICKS OFF FIRST MARKET RETAIL (FMR) PROJECT, RELEASES LIVELIHOOD PACKAGES TO 25 BATANGUEÑOS

Twenty-five (25) Batangueños found a new source of livelihood as they received sari-sari store packages under the newly-launched First Market Retail (FMR) Project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office No. IV-A in partnership with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) IV-A, and Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC), during a turnover ceremony held at Lipa City Cultural Center, Lipa City, Batangas, January 25.

DOLE Regional Director, Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, DOLE BPO Director, Dir. Predelma Tan and Atty. Rio Ariel Soriano of RTWPB together with the 25 beneficiaries of FMR (Photo by Leomar De Torres/ DOLE-BPO)

In his message, DOLE IV-A Regional Director, Atty. Roy L. Buenafe shared his unwavering support for aspiring entrepreneurs and emerging retail business enterprises.

Atty. Buenafe remarked that the FMR, which is part of the Service Quality Improvement Program (SQIP) of the RTWPB IV-A, will serve as a way to create an empowered CALABARZON that embodies a progressive local economy, just as the region's campaign states, CALABARZON SULONG, CALABARZON CHAMPION!

He further said that on top of the provision of working capital and capacity building from the Department, the FMR highlights its partnership with SIDC in which the beneficiaries as new members of the cooperative, can now access its services and technical assistance programs as they journey toward becoming successful retail stores in their localities.

Among the many benefits that the beneficiaries may avail are profit sharing with member-owners, scholarship grants, incentives, seminars, and training.

As pilot beneficiaries of FMR, they will also serve as the basis for the Department in formulating strategic steps in continuing the program to more Filipinos in the region.

DOLE IV-A Regional Director, Atty. Roy L. Buenafe in his opening remarks (Photo by Leomar De Torres/ DOLE-BPO)

On the day of the release, blessings were poured out for the chosen beneficiaries including 69-year-old Isabelita Cabesuela, who is currently an eatery owner and a mother to her four adopted children.

Although she’s trying her best to supply their daily needs, Nanay Isabelita admits most of the time, she finds herself having difficulty in financing the educational needs of her children.

So, when she learned the good news of becoming a part of the first 25 beneficiaries to receive livelihood packages under the FMR project of the DOLE IV-A, Nanay Isabelita shared her outpouring joy saying, “Ako'y nasisiyahan naman at labis na nagpapasalamat sa DOLE, dahil ako po ay nagkaroon ng additional business bukod sa aking eatery.” 

Isabelita Cabesuela, 69 years old supports 4 adopted children, a resident of Bagong Tubig, San Luis Batangas. (Photo by Leomar De Torres/ DOLE-BPO)

With the new Sari-Sari Store package she received, Nanay Isabelita shared that she will now be able to continue sending her adopted children to college.

“Ako po ay blessed na blessed at ako po ay napili at labis ko po itong ipinagpapasalamat higit lalo sa diyos dahil malaking tulong po ito sa amin, lahat sila eh supportive sa amin” she uttered.

Meanwhile, Cristine Joy Agustin, a mother of five children, also expressed her utmost gratitude to the Department for the livelihood packages she received which will serve as their family’s new source of income.

With her husband working as a buko vendor and earning almost eight thousand pesos a month, budgeting for their family is quite a challenge for her especially in times of medical emergencies.

“Halos sumasapat naman po ang sahod ng asawa ko, pero mahirap po ‘pag biglang nagkasakit ang mga bata. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DOLE po dito sa kanilang programa po na ito na hindi lang para sakin, kundi halos lahat po ng tao na nandito at natulungan, sobrang saya po parang hindi ko po maihiwatig talaga kung gaano kasaya, sobrang saya po,” she remarked.

Christine Joy Agustin, mother to 5 children, FMR beneficiary from Brgy. Plaridel, Lipa City (Photo by Leomar De Torres/ DOLE-BPO)

All the beneficiaries received the sari-sari store livelihood package each amounting to Php 29,035.50 pesos, with GSIS personal accident insurance at the time of the release of the package.

The FMR hopes to bring out business opportunities for the people of CALABARZON, especially those who belong to the marginalized sector.