Livelihood summit highlights DOLE’s success stories in Surigao Norte
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Surigao del Norte hosted the region’s inaugural Provincial Livelihood Summit in Surigao City.
The October 29–30 summit brought together over a hundred beneficiaries from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) and the Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-AMP), and highlighted the 36 inspiring success stories from community associations and individual entrepreneurs benefitting from DOLE programs.
Among these thriving entrepreneurs, a notable example is Susan Galo from Socorro town who transitioned from hog-raising feed production to a thriving bakery business, from an initial DILP assistance of P28,600 in 2024. Today, she employs six bakers and ships her specialty breads, including ‘pan de totoy’ and ‘palpal,’ to international clients and markets through special orders.
“We started our baking business from the profit we earned from hog raising,” said Galo as she shared the passion and perseverance that fuel their entrepreneurial growth.
Meanwhile, the summit served as a platform for new initiatives, with four individual entrepreneurs receiving a total of P174,100 for their ventures in food, retail, and fishing.
Additionally, DOLE-Surigao del Norte distributed P1.2 million in DOLE-AMP financial aid to three formal business establishments, namely, PV Grill House, Donia’s Seafood and Grill, and Island Dreams Siargao—each receiving P400,000 to enhance their operations.
Attorney Jason P. Balais, regional director of DOLE Caraga, praised the event as a pioneering step toward collaboration and innovation, urging participants to embrace competitiveness. “As we always say, the success of your business is also the success of the government. We believe in Filipino entrepreneurs, and we know you have what it takes to thrive in the business world.”
In partnership with the provincial government of Surigao del Norte and various national agencies, the summit also introduced services aimed at helping entrepreneurs expand their businesses. It also featured engaging group discussions addressing entrepreneurial challenges and successes, culminating in a message of hope, resilience, and the strength of community collaboration. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DOLE-SDN)
