2025-11-29

17M livelihood boost brings new hope to Bangsamoro workers

November 21, 2025, 8:40 PM BOOSTING FAMILIES, WORKERS. (Left photo, 2nd to the right) DOLE 12 officials Marnie Dave S. Eballes and (5th from left) Mary Jane C. Hoksuan lead the turnover of livelihood starter kits and project grants to over 1,600 workers, parents, and Bangsamoro associations, joined by (Right photo, 3rd from right) MOLE-BARMM Deputy Minister Tommy J. Nawa and (Left photo, 5th from right) MMPC Chairperson Maria Nisa Suib, during the Php 17-million livelihood distribution under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. (Photos by DOLE 12) In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of providing sustainable livelihood for every Filipino worker and families, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed over P17 million worth of livelihood assistance to more than 1,600 workers, Bangsamoro associations, and parents of child laborers in Sarangani Province and General Santos City under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) on October 6, 2025, in Alabel, Sarangani Province. Bangsamoro SARGEN Marketing Cooperative, backed by the Ministry of Labor and Employment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOLE-BARMM), received Php 11,203,352 to support 50 workers’ associations and 43 individual projects, benefitting 1,310 individuals. Meanwhile, the Malapatan Multipurpose Cooperative (MMPC) was granted PHP 5,851,957 to fund 12 workers’ associations and 27 parents of child laborers, totaling 333 beneficiaries. MOLE-BARMM Deputy Minister Tommy J. Nawa witnessed the turnover, marking the continued collaboration between DOLE and the Bangsamoro government to extend livelihood and reintegration support to remote and conflict-affected communities. MMPC Chairperson Maria Nisa Suib expressed appreciation to DOLE for empowering their cooperative to serve as a partner in uplifting the lives of Sarangani workers and families through livelihood assistance. DOLE Region 12, through its Sarangani and General Santos City Field Offices, led the distribution, emphasizing that the initiative reaffirms the Department’s goal of bringing livelihood opportunities closer to the grassroots and creating pathways for self-reliance and stability among vulnerable workers. The program reflects the DOLE’s ongoing partnership with local governments and cooperatives in promoting shared prosperity and economic inclusion throughout the SOCCSKSARGEN region.