Ten informal settlers received PHP500,000 worth of “NegoKart” units in Dumaguete City on Saturday as part of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) efforts to support marginalized workers.

Each NegoKart package, worth PHP50,000, includes a food cart, cooking equipment and initial stock.

Unlike previous versions, the carts are now attached to electric motorcycles for improved mobility.

The beneficiaries, mostly urban poor, are expected to sell street food items like fish balls and fried chicken.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma led the distribution of the e-carts during his two-day visit to the province.

Laguesma also turned over PHP2.2 million in livelihood aid to a farmer’s group in Canlaon City and oversaw a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) payout for Mt. Kanlaon eruption victims.

In an interview, Laguesma assured the public that the TUPAD program is not utilized by politicians but goes through a rigid process of validation before beneficiaries are enrolled in the program.

He added that the DOLE passed the Commission on Audit assessment with a report that showed the TUPAD funds were disbursed properly.

“Just to emphasize, the program is really good, that is why, as mentioned earlier by the mayor, it should not be politicized,” Laguesma said, referring to Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria of this capital city who joined him during the inauguration of the DOLE-Negros Island Region Office in Barangay Bajumpandan. (PNA)