SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has distributed P12.5-million worth of assistance to different marginalized sectors in eastern Pangasinan.

Senior Labor and Employment Officer (LEO) Mary Jane D. Hufano said tricycle operators and driver groups in Santa Maria and Asingan received a total of P1.2 million for their “Bigasan” (rice) livelihood projects.
The local government units of Balungao and Tayug got P11.3 million for the purchase of four-wheel drive tractors, farming equipment, and tools.
These two LGUs are accredited co-partners in the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), also known as the Kabuhayan Program, and Emergency Employment Program (EEP), or the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) program.
These assistance were provided to help uplift the socio-economic life of marginalized groups in Pangasinan.
“We gave this assistance as our response to the needs of the beneficiaries while we are emphasizing the importance of the livelihood program in empowering individuals and promoting self-reliance,” said Hufano.
She also said that these initiatives are strategies to achieve the DOLE’s role in fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of progress and sustainable development.