ROSALINDA Bautista is now starting life anew as a budding entrepreneur thanks to a P15,000 livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole).
Bautista, a struggling single mom of five and household helper from Tarlac City, received her livelihood assistance as a surprise gift in a recent episode of “Wish Ko Lang.”
“Wish Ko Lang” is a GMA-7 Network television drama program that grants wishes of deserving individuals whose stories are shared to inspire the entire Filipino community amidst life adversities.
Dole Central Luzon Regional Director Zenaida Angara-Campita reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III that the livelihood assistance emanated from a request letter from the television show’s producers.
“We are honored to be part of this noble endeavor of the Wisk Ko Lang television program in bridging livelihood opportunities for our poor-but-deserving marginalized individuals and families through the help of our Dole Integrated Livelihood Program,” Campita said.
The Dole Tarlac Field Office was tasked to facilitate the provision of livelihood assistance by preparing and procuring the beneficiary’s livelihood raw materials and equipment.
The labor agency provided Bautista a livelihood assistance package in form of various food retailing-businesses such as frozen foods (tocino, longanisa, hotdog), street foods, and assorted beverages.
Bautista also received a freezer and burger fryer.
She will be undergoing entrepreneurship training, to ensure the proper management and sustainability of her small business.
Life was not so easy for Bautista because of the horrible experience she and her children suffered from her husband’s alleged abuses and infidelities.
Despite the perils of life, Bautista remained resilient by severing ties with her husband and did everything in her means as a solo parent to take care of her children.
For her efforts, her eldest daughter wrote and shared her mother’s story to the “Wish Ko Lang” program and wished for a livelihood assistance for her.
For Bautista, the livelihood assistance was the best Christmas gift that she and her family received because it will be a life-changing opportunity for them.
“I thank Dole for the ‘Wish Ko Lang’ assistance and we promise to nurture this business,” Rosa said.
The “Wish Ko Lang” episode featuring Rosa’s story was aired on December 8 coinciding with the Dole’s 85th Anniversary bannering the theme “Kaagapay sa Matapat, Malinis, at Maaasahang Serbisyo.” (PR)