Secretary Bello to Antiqueños: Thank Inday Loren for DOLE Programs in Antique

Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III on Tuesday visited Antique to check on the implementation of its various programs in the province and told Antiqueños to thank Senator Inday Loren Legarda for bringing these services to her kasimanwas.

Bello acknowledged Legarda’s efforts to bring DOLE’s programs, such as Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers Program or TUPAD Program, closer to the people, including Antiqueños.

“Nais ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na kung hindi dahil kay Senadora Loren, walang TUPAD dito sa inyo. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na dito pala sa Antique hindi ninyo alam yang TUPAD, pinabayaan pala kayo. Mabuti at mayroon kayong nagmamahal na kababayan na si Senator Loren at nagbigyan kayo ng TUPAD,” said Bello.

The Secretary said he was surprised to find out that Antique did not have DOLE TUPAD for many years and it was only through the efforts of Legarda that they were able to look into it and allocate the appropriate budget for the province. “Ganyan kayo kamahal ni Senator Legarda,” Bello told Antiqueños he met.

Legarda and Bello met the beneficiaries of DOLE programs. They visited the Funda-Dalipe Fisherfolk Association and DOLE TUPAD beneficiaries for coastal clean up and street sweeping in Brgy. Funda-Dalipe in San Jose; DOLE TUPAD workers for weaving and street sweeping as well as DOLE-Assisted Livelihood Projects beneficiaries in Bugasong; and DOLE TUPAD beneficiaries in Belison and Hamtic.

The Association of Differently-Abled Persons Bugasong Chapter, one of the beneficiary groups of DOLE-assisted livelihood projects, expressed their thanks to Legarda and Bello. Milagros Valleta, president of the association, proudly showed them their canteen in Brgy. Ilaya, Bugasong. On behalf of the 565 members of the association, Valleta expressed the group’s gratitude to Legarda and Bello for the assistance they received because aside from providing them with livelihood, they were able to support two high school and two elementary students as their scholars.

Secretary Bello also announced that the DOLE Nego-Kart project and fiberglass motorized fishing boats will be brought to Antique.

The Nego-Kart project (Negosyo sa Kariton) will provide ambulant vendors with service/assistance that will enable them to increase, upgrade and/or diversify their products or services and market these to greater number of buyers or customers.

“Senator Loren, thank you for taking care of your people. Wala pa ako nakitang political leader na ganun ang pag-aalaga sa mga constituents niya. Wala akong nakitang senador o congressman na kasing sigasig ni Senadora Loren Legarda. Napakaswerte ninyo,” said Bello.

For her part, Legarda also thanked Secretary Bello for DOLE’s support.

“I am thankful to Secretary Bello for his support to Antique. I will continue to work with DOLE and other government agencies to ensure that all programs of government benefit my kasimanwas,” Legarda concluded.