ZAMBOANGA CITY – In a collaborative effort between Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe and officials from the Department of Labor and Employment Region 9 (DOLE-9), a distribution of livelihood starter kits was conducted for 40 parents of rescued child laborers in the city. The distribution took place at the Canelar Covered Court on August 10.
The beneficiaries received the livelihood starter kits in two batches as part of DOLE’s Kabuhayan Starter Kits Program, a crucial aspect of the agency’s campaign to provide parents with livelihood activities and support youth distancing from child labor practices.
The beneficiaries hailed from various barangays, including Cabatangan, Canelar, Campo Islam, Pasonanca, Rio Hondo, Recodo, Sinunuc, Sta. Maria, Sto. Niño, Upper Calarian, Zone II, and Zone III in District I, as well as Boalan, Kasanyangan, Talon-Talon, Mercedes, Sangali, Pasobolong, and Tugbungan in District II.
The distributed kits included mobile stalls or carts, cooking tools, jigs, rice, and tarpaulins, empowering parents to engage in income-generating activities. This initiative was met with gratitude from Mayor Dalipe, who expressed his appreciation to DOLE-9 for aligning with the local government’s campaign to protect and promote the rights and well-being of children.
The selected beneficiaries underwent profiling under the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program, identifying families from different areas where cases of child labor were reported according to DOLE-9. The program aims to provide parents with income-generating opportunities while fostering hope for positive changes in the lives of children and their families.
The type of livelihood each family received was determined during the profiling stage, tailoring the program to meet the specific needs of each household. This initiative was made possible through the collaboration of the Zamboanga Women’s Federation Inc. and partner agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Social Security System, and Canelar Barangay Council.
