THE Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Central Luzon has recently distributed over P5 million worth of livelihood assistance to Bulakeños.

Dole-Central Luzon has given the assistance to 462 beneficiaries during the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) Jobs and Livelihood Fair held at Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, Malolos.

The TNK Jobs and Livelihood Fair forms part of the weeklong celebration of Singkaban Festival, an annual celebration that promotes the province of Bulacan as a cultural and historical center.

Dole Bulacan provincial head May Lynn Gozun reported to regional director Zenaida Angara-Campita that the event was packaged to include a jobs fair, livelihood distribution, Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) salary release, and a skills demo and info caravan.

In coordination with the local government unit of Malolos and the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Gozun said almost a thousand applicants, 53 local and overseas employers, beneficiaries, demonstrators, and other stakeholders joined the jobs fair.

“For jobseekers who are interested in business, they can also participate in skills demonstrations, and perhaps be entrepreneurs and build a business of their own,” Gozun said.

Meanwhile, graduates of community-based training received negokarts (80 beneficiaries) and various starter kits in food processing (80 beneficiaries), candle and soap making (85 beneficiaries), beauty care (beneficiaries), wellness massage (85 beneficiaries), and pastry production (52 beneficiaries).

Aside from the livelihood distribution, 201 participants benefited from the skills demo and info caravan led by Overseas Worker Welfare Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and Department of Trade and Industry Negosyo Center. Another 122 qualified jobseekers were also reported hired on the spot comprising of 54 females and 68 males.