CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The labor and employment department here granted a workers’ union some P2.2 million for the implementation of its livelihood program.
This in fulfillment of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) “Workers Income Augmentation Program (WIN-AP)” or “Dagdag Kabuhayan para Manggagawa Program” project the “Botika at Paninda sa Pabrika Outlet.”
According to Dole information officer Jerry Borja, the country-wide program has been launched recently in Bataan, the pilot site, where some 13,000 workers from the Bataan Economic Zone are seen to benefit from the program.
Borja quoted TUCP spokesperson Alex Aguilar as saying: “Hindi kami iniwan ng Dole,” referring to the numerous times that Dole has supported TUCP in its undertakings to serve the Filipino worker.
Borja said Dole-National Capital Region, which is responsible for the release of the said assistance, formally turned over the monitoring activities of the said project to Dole regional office in Central Luzon.
He added that this livelihood assistance was made possible through Dole’s WIN-AP, which is part of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s thrusts in poverty alleviation aiming to assist low-income workers, including informal and overseas Filipino workers, who wish to venture into small businesses that would provide them additional income for their family.
Borja said unions and organizations, where workers belong, must be accredited with Dole to be eligible for WIN-AP.
Meanwhile, unorganized workers both local and abroad will be assisted through its accredited co-partners (ACPs). (Jovi T. De Leon)