In a significant move toward social reintegration, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office IX (DOLE ROIX), under the direction of Regional Director Albert E. Gutib, joined forces with the Department of Justice Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA) Regional Office IX, headed by Assistant Regional Director Ruth C. Perucho, to deliver livelihood opportunities to probationers and parolees across the Zamboanga Peninsula and the islands of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA). This joint initiative seeks to equip 100 individuals under probation and parole with essential livelihood tools, fostering their path to self-sufficiency and societal reintegration.
The program’s first turnover event, held on November 6, 2024, in Zamboanga City at Sta. Barbara Central School, marked an encouraging start. Twenty probationers and parolees received livelihood kits as part of the Department’s broader goal to provide emergency employment and livelihood assistance through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).
These initiatives are part of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DOLE and DOJ-PPA, aligning with Department Order (DO) 239-23 to support the continuous reformation and reintegration of probationers and parolees. The program aims to enhance employability and economic security, transforming individuals who have faced previous challenges into productive, law-abiding citizens.
Diverse Livelihood Kits to Fuel New Enterprises
The twenty beneficiaries each received individualized livelihood kits tailored to their skills and aspirations. These kits span various trades, from carpentry and welding to baking, cosmetology, and small engine repair. The packages, valued at approximately PHP 30,000 each, offer a practical foundation for small businesses or skilled trade opportunities.
The funding for these livelihood kits, totaling PHP 597,380, was facilitated by the Zamboanga del Sur Agricultural College Integrated Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ZSACICO) under DOJ-PPA’s Project LIFE (Livelihood Integration and Family Enrichment) for probationers and parolees. Each package reflects the program’s commitment to ensuring probationers and parolees have tools that meet both market demand and personal interest, helping them forge a sustainable income source.
Expanding the Reach: Scheduled Turnovers Across the Region
Following this initial turnover, DOLE IX has planned additional distributions to reach more beneficiaries in other areas throughout November 2024. Among the allocations, Zamboanga Sibugay will see ten beneficiaries receive kits valued at PHP 298,690, while thirty individuals in Zamboanga del Norte will benefit from PHP 956,070 in funding. Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will also host turnover events for individuals identified as beneficiaries, with a total investment of PHP 3.15 million to assist 100 probationers and parolees.
Messages of Hope and Encouragement
During the turnover event, ARD Ruth Perucho spoke warmly to the beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of the livelihood kits for their families’ daily sustenance. “This livelihood will be a great help for your family, giving you a means to earn and meet your daily needs,” Perucho said. She encouraged beneficiaries to seize this opportunity as a chance to rebuild and strengthen their homes and family lives.
Director Gutib also shared a message of hope, underscoring the support offered by the government for those seeking a second chance. “Though we may stumble due to hardships and lack of opportunities, the government is here to help, to lift you out of hardship. We hope you will cherish this assistance and use it to grow,” he urged.
Preparing for Success: Financial and Occupational Safety Orientation
Beyond the turnover of livelihood kits, DOLE IX provided beneficiaries with crucial training sessions, equipping them with skills beyond their trade. Ms. Wea Angelic Almonte from the Department of Trade and Industry IX (DTI IX) led a financial literacy orientation, guiding beneficiaries on managing finances effectively, while Engr. Benz Rembrandt C. Banagudoz from DOLE’s Zamboanga City Field Office conducted an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) seminar tailored to informal sector workers. These sessions underscore the program’s commitment to building sustainable livelihoods, not just immediate financial relief.
Moving Toward a More Inclusive Society
For beneficiaries like Ms. Thelma M. Cruz, this program is not just about financial support but also a transformative opportunity to start afresh. “I am very thankful to DOLE, especially to RD Albert and ARD Ruth. This will greatly help me to start a business. I’ll work hard to grow my small business,” she shared, determined to make the most of her new beginning.
This initiative reflects DOLE’s steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive growth through programs like DILEEP, which addresses job creation and poverty reduction. The recent turnover of livelihood kits aligns with the goals of DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), aiming to provide capacity-building and economic empowerment to marginalized and vulnerable individuals, including probationers and parolees.
Through targeted support and continued government backing, the DOLE IX and DOJ-PPA partnership is empowering individuals to turn the page toward brighter, more self-sufficient futures.
