Old man still works to feed family, thanks DOLE for grant

MALAYBALAY CITY – Despite his old age, Pepito Loranza, continues to work hard in an effort to provide for his family here, and said his income has even doubled after barely two months after receiving from the government a bicycle and other retailing products that he sells around.

Pepito Loranza shows off his new bicycle, among other products he received from DOLE Bukidnon Provincial Field Office Chief Raul Valmores.

The 63-year old Loranza said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provincial office provided him a P20,000 grant to help him sustain his work and feed his family.

“My income has now doubled after the two months’ receipt of DOLE’s assistance. I am very happy that I can still provide to my family considering my advanced age and the difficulties of this pandemic,” Loranza said.  

Raul Valmores, DOLE-10 Bukidnon Provincial Field Office Chief, said he personally turned-over to Loranza the brand new bicycle and rags, baskets and bottles of honey worth about P20,000.

Loranza said the fast and hassle-free processing of his livelihood grant was a big relief and more than that, he added: “The (DOLE) staffs have become the buyers of my products.” 

Prior to receiving his DOLE assistance, Loranza said he was already vending various products such as woven baskets, rags, mats, brooms and bottled honey using his old bicycle around Malaybalay City. “My previous worn-out bicycle could not cover distant areas.  My new and sturdy bicycle, given by DOLE-10 now allows me to market to outlying areas as far as Barangays Kalasungay and San Jose,” he said. 

With the additional livelihood assistance, Loranza said he is now capable of marketing the products made by his neighbors. He can purchase larger bulks of rags, baskets, brooms and other products to his wider clients even to government offices and eateries in the city. 

Valmores said senior citizens are among the eligible beneficiaries of the Kabuhayan Program, a component of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP), which aims to reduce poverty through the creation of enterprises that help augment income and generate jobs. 

“We in the department make sure senior citizens are given equal access to employment and economic opportunities as part of our decent work agenda and inclusive growth,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

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