DOLE gives 'Nego Kart' to Zambales vendors

CABANGAN, Zambales (PIA) -- Some 14 ambulant vendors in the province became recipients of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Negosyo sa Kariton (Nego Kart) program, receiving around P350,000 in livelihood assistance.

Four of the 14 “Nego Karts” were distributed in Cabangan town last week facilitated by the DOLE Zambales field office in coordination with the municipal government of Cabangan’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO).

Mayor Ronald Apostol, DOLE regional director Leopoldo B. De Jesus, DOLE Zambales field office head Efren Reyes, and Marissa Dagun, PESO manager awarded the livelihood assistance amounting to some P100,000.

Of the total assistance provided, P60,000 came from DOLE for the building of Nego Karts and initial capital outlay.

The municipal government provided the remaining amount as counterpart assistance which includes training on production skills, entrepreneurship, and business management.

Initial payments for social protection benefits such as enrollment to either the SSS or Phil-Health and mayor's permit were also shouldered by the municipal government.

Mayor Apostol expressed his appreciation to the DOLE for choosing his constituents as beneficiaries of the said livelihood project.

Meanwhile, Virgilio Dalanan, a “buko” (fresh coconut) vendor from Brgy. San Antonio, expressed his gratitude to the DOLE and the LGU of Cabangan for the Nego Kart.

He said that the said assistance will greatly help his family’s needs. He promised that he will put to good use the assistance he received.

DOLE continues to help ambulant vendors in the countryside in enhancing and sustaining their small businesses through its Nego Kart program.

The Labor department also continues to monitor and ensure that the small entrepreneurs will likewise be accorded with social protection and benefits and make their income at par at least with that of the minimum wage earners.

Ten of the 14 Nego Karts were distributed in Iba town and around 20 more are set to be distributed in the province, according to the DOLE Zambales Field office. (by Allen Villa WLB/AMV PIA Zambales)