ILOILO — As economic pressures continue to weigh on vulnerable sectors, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Visayas has rolled out more than P125.8 million in livelihood assistance to 4,800 workers across the region in the first three quarters of 2025, targeting displaced, low-income, and marginalized groups.
The assistance was released under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), which aims to provide emergency employment while helping beneficiaries establish sustainable income sources amid ongoing economic disruptions.
In a statement, DOLE Region 6 said the projects supported under the program span agriculture, fisheries, food processing, retail, and community-based enterprises, allowing assistance to be tailored to local economic needs.
“The livelihood aid is not just about monetary support; it’s a concerted effort to enhance income generation, foster economic resilience, and invigorate inclusive growth within our local economies,” DOLE-6 said.
Among the largest beneficiaries was a piña fabric and garment project in Aklan, which received P9 million, supporting both traditional textile production and job creation for local artisans. In Boracay, the United Reservists Producers Cooperative secured P2 million for a herbal-infused artisan bath soap enterprise that combines local craftsmanship with eco-friendly practices.
In Antique, P800,000 was granted to an Indigenous Peoples community for the improvement of fishing boats and the procurement of fishing and pump boat materials, aimed at strengthening traditional livelihoods while boosting income.
Capiz-based initiatives also received support, including P500,000 for a raft oyster and mussel culture project of the Pinamihagan Conservation of Mangrove and Fisherfolk Association, linking livelihood generation with environmental conservation. Another P500,000 funded a commodities store project for persons with disabilities, reinforcing the program’s inclusivity thrust.
DOLE-6 also allocated P8.05 million to support parents of child laborers in Iloilo, alongside P1 million for similar interventions in Guimaras, with the goal of steering families toward lawful income sources and reducing child labor.
In Negros Occidental, 18 persons deprived of liberty received P549,892 to establish a rice retailing project, a move intended to support their economic reintegration into society.
According to DOLE-6 regional director Sixto Rodriguez Jr., the DILP goes beyond cash aid by providing beneficiaries with starter kits, tools, equipment, and raw materials.
“Through the DILP, beneficiaries are equipped with essential resources, including starter kits, tools, equipment, and raw materials,” Rodriguez said.
“This initiative embodies a commitment to instilling hope and fostering self-reliance. It paves the way for long-term sustainable growth that transforms lives and strengthens communities throughout Western Visayas.”
DOLE-6 said the sustained rollout of livelihood assistance underscores the agency’s role in cushioning the impact of economic challenges while promoting inclusive growth across the region./PN
