The City Government of Navotas launched the Hanapbuhay Caravan on November 6, 2024, at Barangay NBBS Dagat-Dagatan to provide local residents with important job and business opportunities. This initiative, which is part of the city’s ongoing livelihood support programs, aims to help residents recover and thrive economically. The event featured various services, including the Tulong Puhunan program, which offers financial assistance to individuals looking to start their own businesses. Participants also received skills training in food production, such as making special empanadas and polvoron.
The caravan’s activities also included a pre-employment seminar and a job fair, which saw the participation of several partner companies. In line with the city’s mission to promote self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship, the caravan is scheduled to visit other barangays and schools across Navotas to extend its reach and support to more residents.
This program is closely linked to the Angat Kabuhayan initiative, through which 80 Navoteños have received livelihood packages. These beneficiaries, who include 30 senior citizens, 10 persons with disabilities (PWDs), 20 parents of child laborers, and 20 displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), were selected based on recommendations from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA). The livelihood packages are designed to help these individuals restart or enhance their small businesses, many of which were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to the distribution of livelihood packages, the beneficiaries participated in business planning seminars, where they submitted business plans for their chosen ventures. The NavotaAs Hanapbuhay Center also conducted entrepreneurship seminars to equip these individuals with the necessary tools and knowledge to successfully manage their businesses. Among the livelihood packages provided were opportunities in food businesses, sari-sari stores, rice dealerships, frozen goods, manicure and pedicure services, and even dishwashing soap production.
Cong. Toby Tiangco encouraged the beneficiaries to work hard and make their businesses succeed to help their families recover from the lingering effects of the pandemic. He emphasized that the city government will continue to offer more livelihood opportunities to help Navoteños build a more sustainable future.
This effort aligns with the ongoing commitment of the local government to support its residents and help them overcome economic hardships, particularly after the setbacks caused by the pandemic.