DOLE's NegoKart benefits 60 ambulant vendors in Pangasinan

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=918338
• Tuesday, August 30, 2016

(PNA), FPV/LVM/LVMICUA/RMA

ALAMINOS CITY, Aug. 30 (PNA)-- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Office I released a check amounting to PHP900,000 to boost the livelihood of vendors in the municipality of Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.

Bernadette May Mamitag, head of the DOLE field office in Alaminos City, said the amount will be used by the municipality to enhance the livelihood projects of 60 ambulant vendors under the program "Negosyo sa Kariton" or Negokart.

Mamitag turned over the check representing the amount to Mayor Raul Martin Sison at the municipal hall, in the presence of Vice Mayor Marilyn Sison, Chief Administrative Officer and PESO Manager Benigna Ramos, Labor and Employment Officer Mhel Gaspar and other LGU personnel.

The amount will be used for the purchase of vending carts, tools, cooking utensils and raw materials which the beneficiaries can use as start-up capital to boost their existing small vending businesses.

The beneficiaries will sell fish balls, “kikiam” and other street food, in addition to their existing merchandise. Aside from the capital assistance, the beneficiaries will soon be enrolled in micro-insurance.

For its part, LGU Urbiztondo will provide a counterpart of PHP225,000 to defray the expenses for the training of the beneficiaries on basic management and food handling and for their business permits and licenses.

Honorina Baga, DOLE-RO I OIC Regional Director said the Negokart is part of the "Kabuhayan" component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) that aims to contribute to poverty reduction and reduce vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers.

“One of the reasons for poverty is the lack of productive self-employment activities for our marginalized workers who comprise the bulk of our informal sector workers. Through our Negokart project assistance, we are increasing the capacities for economic improvement of our ambulant vendors in this part of Pangasinan,” Baga said.

She said the Negokart assistance will help in terms of increasing the capital of the beneficiaries and providing them greater mobility. Also, the beneficiaries will be given social protection through their micro-insurance and will be able to legally operate their small businesses.