Ten fully vaccinated vendors from the coastal municipality of Milagros in Masbate province not only got protection from severe Covid-19 symptoms.
They also received new bicycles and mobile phones under the “Bikecination” project of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Bicol.
Johan Vi Gasga, DOLE Bicol spokesperson, said on Saturday the PHP25,000 Kabuhayan Starter Kits include the bicycle with complete accessories such as signal light, carrier, rear rack, insulated delivery bag, helmet, among others.
The mobile phone comes with a SIM (subscriber identification module) card loaded with PHP4,000.
“Providing sustainable livelihood to informal vendors who struggle for a living in the midst of the global health crisis makes the start of December more exciting as it complements the spirit of giving, love, and hope while helping reduce the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” Gasga said in a statement.
The distribution was held on December 2.
“Bikecination” is a special project under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program that assists the entrepreneurial ventures of the poor, marginalized, and crisis-hit workers who are fully vaccinated.
Glenn Lasala, a vendor, wakes up at 4 a.m. daily to sell fermented shrimp paste (bagoong) and goes home at noon to bring food to his family.
“Nagapasalamat po ako sa DOLE para sani na inda programa, bilang usad na bagoong vendor dako po ini na bulig saakon kay dili na ako malilisudan san pag-deliver san akon paninda. Salamat po sa DOLE kag sa LGU sani na doble na regalo na pangkabukahayan showcase na akon naresibe (I feel so grateful to receive double livelihood showcase gifts from DOLE. As a bagoong vendor, this will make my delivery faster and easier. It will no longer be difficult for me to sell),” he said.
DOLE-Bicol said the project will help educate the public that Covid-19 vaccines are safe.
Source: Philippines News Agency
