Senator Loren Legarda recently took on the role of a modern-day Santa Claus as residents in the municipality of Mogpog, Marinduque received around P1 million worth of tools and equipment as livelihood assistance.

The initiative, aimed at providing sustainable economic opportunities, benefitted 37 individuals, delivering the total value of assistance to P989,946, marking a significant contribution to promoting economic growth and livelihood development in the region.

Through the gesture, Legarda played a pivotal role in uplifting local communities, ensuring that the recipients received both a practical and meaningful gift during the season of joy.

Editha Loto, a 60-year-old farmer from Mogpog and a beneficiary of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DoLE) Integrated Livelihood Program, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to receive livelihood assistance. I will make sure to take care of this opportunity and use it to increase my income from selling rice.”

“I am deeply grateful to Ma’am Loren Legarda and DoLE. I hope they will be able to help more people in the future,” she added.

The recipients, selected from various sectors, received a wide array of essential tools. Sixteen individuals were given food vending equipment, eight received sewing machines, and four were given printing tools to start their own services. Another four received baking tools to enhance their bread and pastry businesses.

Additionally, a barbershop operator was provided with a chair and razor, while an agricultural entrepreneur was given equipment for palay buy-and-sell operations. Three fishermen received banca engines valued at P82,500.

The program was made possible through a partnership with the DoLE Mimaropa Region and the Mogpog Central School Alumni Association Inc. (MCSAAi).

The initiative received praise from netizens, with one commenting in Filpino: “This is real assistance. It doesn’t vanish or get depleted. Instead, it helps develop a small business that has just started. Thank you, Senator Legarda, DoLE Marinduque through Sir Marjun Moreno, and Mrs. Bettina Fernandez for this livelihood support.”

Bettina Fernandez, president of MCSAAi, expressed her gratitude for the support provided by DoLE and Legarda. She encouraged fellow alumni to care for and sustain their businesses, emphasizing that this is just the beginning of a larger effort to create more jobs in Marinduque.

Marjun S. Moreno, DoLE Provincial Office Head, said the primary goal of the assistance is not only to help individual businesses grow but also to generate local employment. He explained that as businesses thrive, they create job opportunities that allow local residents to earn a living and improve their standard of living.

Senator Legarda, in a recent Facebook post, reflected on her continued dedication to serving the Filipino people. Her office has been instrumental in numerous initiatives throughout the year, including her son Leandro Legarda Leviste’s early Christmas donations, the Tulong Panghanapbuhay program for displaced workers, and support for artisans in Taal and Lemery in Batangas.

She commended the collaborative effort, recognizing the value of partnerships in achieving sustainable development. She expressed her gratitude to DoLE for its continued support and underscored the role of livelihood programs in her vision for rural development.