DOLE, Smart provide livelihood package to Yolanda survivors

Some 100 residents from three barangays in Tacloban City that were hard-hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda became the first set of beneficiaries of a livelihood project of the Department of Labor and Employment in partnership with Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).
The beneficiaries each got a mobile phone from Smart, and airtime load plus P8,000 worth of groceries from DOLE to help them start-up a sari-sari store with Smart reloading business.  They are residents of Barangays 50, 69 and 72 where DOLE had earlier organized livelihood development associations.
The project, dubbed DOLE Starter Kit Project, was launched at the DOLE regional office on January 21, 2014, with the presence of DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz.
The affair was highlighted with the signing of a partnership agreement between DOLE and Smart.  Signing on behalf of DOLE were Secretary Baldoz and DOLE-8 Regional Director Exequiel R. Sarcauga, and Rex Ryan Quisumbing of Sales Distribution-Tacloban for Smart. Also witnessing the event was DOLE-8 Assistant Regional Director Cyril Ticao.
In her message, Secretary Baldoz recalled that it was Ramon “Mon” Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs, who suggested a livelihood project for Yolanda survivors, who lost their sources of income after Yolanda.
“Mon called me up regarding the project. He said Smart wants to help (through a livelihood project),” Baldoz said. “If the project turns out to be successful, it can be sustained and replicated in other disaster areas.”
She also disclosed that when she had a talk with Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominic L. Petilla earlier that day, the governor told him that what his people need now are jobs.
Baldoz said that Yolanda survivors should take every available opportunity given them to hasten their recovery.
“We at Smart look at every available opportunity to assist Yolanda survivors get back on their feet.  Most of them have lost everything to the typhoon and every little help will go a long way.  This partnership with DOLE is part of the group’s post-disaster recovery efforts in Central Philippines.  Our load retailer business has proven to be a lucrative model, made more viable because of its sachet-sized price offerings,” said Isberto.
Smart sales agents will be monitoring and checking on regularly with the beneficiaries for their load requirements, while DOLE has assigned personnel to monitor the project.
Smart’s business partners, regional distributor Cellcom and provincial distributor Bunkang Marketing assisted in preparing the phone kits that were given to the beneficiaries.
“This is the pilot run of the livelihood partnership with DOLE targeting other segments of the community, including OFW families. To support this initiative, we are now holding planning with ambulant retailers, or those who don’t have stores,” said Smart Group Head Edgardo Razon. The project rollout was finalized in a meeting between Razon, Senior Manager Alfredo Callet and Area Manager Roy Nebrija from Smart and DOLE representatives late last year.
Aleo Montallana, one of the beneficiaries, said the loading business would tide him over financially as he rebuilds his shop. He earns his living as a beautician, but all his tools and equipment along with his small parlor, were destroyed by the typhoon. 
Speaking for all the other beneficiaries, Josefina Alvarez thanked both the DOLE and Smart for coming up with the livelihood project which, she said, could help the typhoon survivors recover while they look for longer-term employment opportunities.