DOLE Distributes ₱5M Livelihood Kits in Isabela City, Basilan Under Marcos Jr.’s Empowerment Drive

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s administration continues to strengthen its commitment to grassroots empowerment with a recent livelihood support initiative in Isabela City, Basilan, where the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) distributed ₱5 million worth of livelihood kits to 88 beneficiaries.

This program embodies the administration's "Maasahan at Masipag" governance mantra — reliable in empowerment, tireless in progress, and devoted to transforming national recovery into tangible opportunities at the community level.

The livelihood kits, valued at an average of ₱56,818 each, were handed over during a formal ceremony that underscored the government’s resolve to promote inclusive growth and community rebuilding, especially in areas affected by conflict and underdevelopment.

In addition to providing essential materials to jumpstart various small-scale enterprises, the project includes comprehensive training support geared toward skills diversification. Beneficiaries received workshops on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and technical know-how tailored to their chosen livelihoods, enhancing their capacity to sustain and grow their income sources.

"This is more than handing out supplies — this is about equipping our people with skills and confidence to rebuild their lives and communities," said a DOLE regional official. "The government is committed to giving them the tools and training necessary to succeed."

Moreover, the program includes insurance coverage for informal workers, a crucial safety net that promotes social protection among beneficiaries who often lack access to formal labor benefits.

By integrating training, material support, and insurance, the initiative aligns with President Marcos Jr.'s vision of transforming the country’s economic recovery into inclusive grassroots empowerment. It aims to diversify skills within communities, enabling beneficiaries to adapt to evolving economic conditions and contribute meaningfully to local development.

Local leaders expressed optimism that the livelihood kits and accompanying services will inspire a wave of community-driven progress in Basilan, fostering sustainable livelihoods and peace. This approach underlines the administration's dedication to holistic development—bridging national recovery efforts with localized empowerment strategies.

Under President Marcos Jr.'s leadership, programs like this in Basilan reflect a government tireless in advancing progress and reliable in delivering lasting empowerment, ensuring that the fruits of recovery reach every Filipino household.