The document summarizes a DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit Project in the Municipality of Bato, Catanduanes. The project provided starter kits of tools and equipment to 30 skilled workers, including carpenters, welders, cooks, dressmakers, and manicurists. This was intended to increase their productivity and alleviate their living situations. Testimonials from beneficiaries showed that the kits significantly increased their incomes, for example allowing a tailor to earn P8,000 per month making bags compared to her previous P3,000 monthly income as a housemaid. The program was deemed successful and the local government partnered with DOLE again in 2015 to continue helping strengthen the labor force.

1. Municipality of Bato, Catanduanes
Department of Labor and Employment
Name of BuB Project:
Partner NGA:
Recipient LGU:

2. The DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kit (DKSK)
Project is a program of the Department of
Labor and Employment under its DOLE
Integrated Livelihood Emergency
Employment Program (DILEEP).

3. It is a livelihood program that offers direct
impact to skilled workers by equipping
them with tools and equipment that will
increase their productivity and alleviate
their living situation.

4. Thus, contributes in the attainment of the
goal of the Aquino Administration for
inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

5. • The Local Government Unit of Bato, in its
desire to uplift the living condition of its
constituency, has requested DKSK project
to the DOLE through its MPRAT in its
2014 BuB Fund.

6. The DOLE approved P201,000.00 to benefit
30 skilled workers consisting of:
•10 carpenters/masons
•5 welders
•5 cooks/bakers
•5 dressmakers
•5 manicurists/beauticians

7. The LGU of Bato, as an equity, has initiated
the conduct of short training on starting
small business and simple bookkeeping.
Personnel from DTI and Municipal
Accounting Office served as resource
speakers.

10. Starter kits consisting of sewing machines,
planers, grinders, electric drill, welding
machine, kitchen tools, make-up kits,
manicure and pedicure kits were
distributed to beneficiaries.

15. The provision of various materials, tools
and equipments to DKSK beneficiaries
resulted to the uplifting of their working
efficiency, security at work, and
considerable increase in income.

16. The following are some of the testimonies
given by the beneficiaries of the DOLE
Kabuhayan Starter Kit Project:

17. Mrs. Luz Teope, a tailor, has a
former income of P3,000.00
as a housemaid. Having a
new sewing machine gave
her an income of P 8,000.00
per month. Her job as a
tailor is making bags out of
sacks of flour and soap. She
even exclaimed that, in
almost a month, she was
able to earn equivalent to
the cost of sewing machine.

18. Mrs. Teope is very much
thankful being chosen as one
of the beneficiaries. The same
month when she received the
machine, her husband died.
Although the lost of her
husband is a tragedy to the
family, she felt God has always
loved them because she was
provided with a sewing
machine to earn a living for
the family.

19. Mr. Rosalio B. Templonuevo,
a carpenter, said the
planer given to him has
been a big help. He is paid
with P200.00 as rental of
the tool. Thus, with a daily
wage of P300.00, he is
earning P500.00 per day
whenever he is using the
planer.

20. He cited he can finish two
door jambs in less than
one day, while for manual
labor it is difficult to finish
one jamb in a day. He
continued that having a
planer gave him more job
offerings.

21. Mrs. Rosemarie Soriao, a
manicurist, was just
summoned to do a
manicure service before
the interview. She said
she was immediately paid
with P 100.00 for doing a
manicure and pedicure
works.

22. She is usually able to have
three customers in a day
on regular months. Peak
months are March, April
and May – graduation and
“balikbayan” months –
which allow her to earn as
much as P400.00 in a day.

23. Mr. Victor Todoc, a skilled
cook and butcher, said that
materials given to him are
important augmentation to
his kitchen tools. He is paid
at least P 1,000.00 per day
of cooking service.

24. During the months of March,
April, May, June, November
and December, he usually
have three customers in a
month; with at least one
customer in the rest of the
months. He said he is
earning an average
additional income of
P2,000.00 per month as
cook.

25. One of the beneficiaries has said,
“Magayon ang ang programang ini.
Talagang nakatuwang sa mga tawo.
Dapat ining ipadagos ning gobyerno (This
program is good. It really helped the
people. The government must continue
extending this program.)”

26. The fund requested, although minimal,
has been producing a sustainable effect
in uplifting the living situation of the
poor.

27. As such, the LGU has partnered once
again with the DOLE in its 2015 BuB…

28. To continuously strengthen the labor force, to
strongly assist in building a better nation…