Bicycle units, livelihood, and cash-for-work aid were recently given to about 5,000 informal sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Wednesday, Sept. 22.
The labor department awarded assistance amounting to P59,183,722 to beneficiaries in various parts of Metro Manila on Tuesday, Sept. 21.
Under the DOLE’s BikeCination Project, beneficiaries from the 16 cities and one municipality in Metro Manila received bicycle units and mobile phone with load cards for their food delivery start-up amounting to a total of P21,177,522.
“Through these bicycle units, we aim to provide alternative source of income to informal sector workers or their next of kin under the A4 category who have completed their vaccine against COVID-19. This is one incentive to encourage our workers to get vaccinated and to help in the country's fight against this pandemic,” DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III said.
Moreover, a total of 3,551 informal sector workers from Marikina, Pateros, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasig, and Manila were given temporary employment and subsequently received their wages amounting to P35,436,630 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
A total of 330 beneficiaries received livelihood grants amounting to P2,569,570 under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
Among the beneficiaries are 250 members of Alyansa ng mga Nakakatanda sa Komunidad, Inc. for their food bank project amounting to P970,000; 60 women OFW returnees who are members of Development Action for Women Network Inc. for their sewing and pattern making project amounting to P999,570; and 20 beneficiaries of the Negosyo sa Kariton (NegoKart) amounting to P600,000.
During the awarding of "ayuda," Bello reminded the beneficiaries to use the assistance wisely.
“Huwag kayong magpasalamat sa amin dahil ang mga ayudang ito ay pera ninyo. Sabi ni Presidente ang pera ng DOLE, pera ng tao. Kaya ang dapat ay ibigay ang pera sa mga tao. Iyong ibinigay namin sa inyo pangalagaan ninyo, gamitin ninyo sa tama (Don't thank us because these assistance are your money. The President said that DOLE's money is the people's money. This must be given to you. Use it the right way),” he said.