In its efforts to cushion the impact of the pandemic to the workers in the informal sector and pump prime growth of the economy, the Department of Labor and Employment XI officially introduced the BikeCINATION Project: Bisekletang Panghanapbuhay to Davao Region through a ceremonial awarding of brand-new electronic bicycles to its 70 project beneficiaries.

On January 6, 2022, a total of 57 ambulant vendors in the province of Davao Oriental received the BikeCINATION livelihood package, consisting of e-bike, insulation bag, rear basket rack, reflective vest, helmet, and cellular phone, during the turnover activity in Brgy. Central, Mati City initiated by the Davao Oriental Field Office (DOFO). Meanwhile, the Davao City Field Office awarded the same package to 13 displaced workers on January 10, 2022 at DOLE XI Regional Office. Said livelihood turnover activities were led by OIC-Regional Director Atty. Randolf C. Pensoy, OIC-Assistant Regional Director Atty. Jason P. Balais, TSSD Chief Paul V. Cruz, DOFO Chief Rodolfo T. Castro, DCFO Chief Erlinda G. Mamitag, and DOLE XI Livelihood Team.

The BikeCINATION Project: Bisekletang Panghanapbuhay is a special project under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). It is a grant assistance for entrepreneurial ventures for the working poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers. This project is intended for the eligible workers in the informal sector or their relatives who are under the A4 category and have completed the two doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

During the turnover, RD Pensoy mentioned that the BikeCination aims to help augment the income of the market vendors and workers from the vulnerable sectors. “We are lucky to have been given this opportunity. This project is a manifestation that the government is looking at various innovative ways to help revive our economy. We hope that this project will motivate you to persevere, especially during this time,” RD Pensoy added.

Further, the DOLE XI Livelihood Team provided the project beneficiaries with brief orientation of the project and quick tutorial on the use of the e-bike. The team also reminded them to take good care of the livelihood package, especially within the one-year project contract.

Mr. John Kenneth Floro, a beneficiary of the BikeCINATION Project under the Association of Differently Abled Persons (ADAP) in Davao City, shared that this project would really help their community’s newly set-up mini-mart. “My brother and I volunteered as delivery drivers for ADAP’s mini-mart. In this way, the association will be able to save money on hiring delivery services.” Mr. Floro’s parents are both members of ADAP.

Similarly, empanada vendor Mr. Roberto Jaizon and online seller Ms. Papse Amado expressed their gratitude to DOLE XI for the provision of the livelihood package. According to them, this government’s effort will surely ease the problem of their daily selling activities, specially the delivery of goods, orders, and food services to the customers. Davao Oriental Market Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DOMMUPCO) is the Accredited Co-Partner of DOLE in identifying qualified beneficiaries and in implementing the BikeCINATION Project.