Zamboanga City (PIA) — The DOLE will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee on December 8, 2008 which “is a once in a lifetime event that deserves to be shared not only among the men and women of the DOLE, but with the nation and the social partners as well.” These were the words of the Labor Secretary himself, Marianito D. Roque.

In Zamboanga Sibugay, DOLE will conduct a CARAVAN as part of the Jubilee Celebration on November 11 and 13, 2008 in Tungawan and Siay Municipalities respectively and will release livelihood funds worth P3,486,711.00 for capacity building to 13 associations (involving some 926 individuals), coming from the 2 Congressional Districts of the Province.

DOLE-IX Regional Director Ponciano M. Ligutom said the caravan is an occasion to share to the public the contributions of DOLE with the support of partners in terms of capacity building services for livelihood, job search assistance, welfare & protective services, and social partnership & dispute resolution to preserve employment.

“The call towards a century of existence as a Department is to strive to be more relevant, to deliver effective and efficient service, and to continue to innovate for the clients of DOLE”, Ligutom added.
Meantime, other Caravans are scheduled in the other parts of the Region and will also highlight the promotion of DOLE Programs and services.

The recipient associations in Zamboanga Sibugay on various livelihood projects are the following:
Tungawan Tricycle Operators & Drivers Association (Tungawan) - P228,850
Young Entrepreneurs of STII (Ipil) - P300,000
La Paz Women (Naga) - P500,000

Tambanan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Coop (Naga) - P400,000
PH-839 Parents Association (Titay) - P162,725
Concepcion Women Association (Kabasalan) - P155,635
Sanito Mudcrab Growers Association (Ipil) - P266,410
Vendors Association of Ipil (Ipil) - P157,097
Guituan Rural Women Association (Ipil) - P120,000
Alicia Association of Out-of-School Youth (Ipil) - P200,000
Indigenous People of Siay (Siay) - P300,000
Siay Operators & Transport Drivers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Siay) - P230,350
Alicia Single Motors Association (Alicia) - P265,650

These projects, which aim to generate self-employment will be implemented with the support of the various Local Government Units (LGUs) and or NGOs as project conduits. (DOLE-9 / PIA-BASULTA)