𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐙𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞 – Celebrating excellence, partnership, and meaningful impact in livelihood development, the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office No. IV-A (DOLE CALABARZON) honored outstanding DOLE-assisted livelihood projects, program partners, and top-performing implementers at the 2026 Regional Kabuhayan Awards on September 17.

With this year’s theme “𝑲𝒂𝒃𝒖𝒉𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒈, 𝑴𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑼𝒎𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒕: 𝑺𝒂𝒎𝒂-𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒔 𝑻𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒐 𝒔𝒂 𝑩𝒂𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒔”, DOLE CALABARZON puts premium on the notable contributions, accomplishments, and innovations of its beneficiaries and implementers that enable the successful implementation of DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) in the region.

In support of the thrust of Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino to strengthen livelihood opportunities and promote sustainable sources of income for Filipino workers and their families, DOLE CALABARZON continues to recognize initiatives that demonstrate the meaningful impact of the Department’s livelihood assistance on individuals and communities.

Laguna based livelihood projects, Let Eat Go, a Coffee Project owned by Mr. Tyrone Jasper I. Reodica, and Mahipon Inao-awan Poblacion and Talaongan Association’s (MIPTA), an Organic Fertilizer Production and Agricultural Supplies project, were hailed as winners for individual and group categories of the regional leg of the Kabuhayan Awards this year.

Their stories were also showcased through audio-visual presentations, which delved on their experiences, challenges, stories of perseverance, courage and hope as both projects continue to thrive and expand despite current adversities. As regional winners, they received a plaque of recognition and cash prizes. They also served as the official entries of DOLE CALABARZON to the 2026 National Kabuhayan Awards, where they will compete with the best livelihood projects across the country.

Atty. Erwin N. Aquino, Regional Director of DOLE CALABARZON shared in his message that the stories of recognized livelihood projects served as a testament that the assistance given by the agency was not merely a provision of resources, but also a platform to empower its beneficiaries.

“Your stories demonstrate that livelihood assistance is not simply about providing resources. It is about opening doors, and empowering our people to walk through those doors, build sustainable livelihoods, and create better opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities”, RD Aquino said.

Aside from the recognition on Best DOLE-assisted Livelihood Projects, commendation was also given in several categories, including:

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲

● Top Performing Provincial Office in Procurement Compliance – Batangas Provincial Office and Rizal Provincial Office

● Top Performing Provincial Office in DILP Fund Liquidation – Batangas Provincial Office

● Best Video Documentation Award (Individual Category)- Batangas Provincial Office

● Best Video Documentation Award (Group Category)- Laguna Provincial Office

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐄-𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

● Community Champion Impact Award – Let Eat Go (Coffee Project) by Mr. Tyrone Jasper I. Reodica

● Outstanding Livelihood Success Story Award – Enhancement of Small-scale Homemade Pizza Project by Mr. Noelito J. Patal

● Innovative Livelihood Project Award – Los Pepes Honey Production Project by Mr. Christ Mark T. Bergonio

● Digital Livelihood Innovation Award- Handicraft (Jewelry) Project by Ms. Jeriene D. Pecho

● Outstanding Employment Generation Award-Samahan ng Organic Farmers ng Sonyas (SOFS)

● Income Growth Excellence Award – Let Eat Go (Coffee Project) by Mr. Tyrone Jasper I. Reodica

● Sustainable Green Livelihood Award – Mahipon, Inao-awan Poblacion and Talaongan Association (MIPTA)

𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

● Top Performing Provincial Office’s Livelihood Focal Person – Mr. Ohmar A. Lorena of Quezon Provincial Office

● Top Performing Provincial Office’s TUPAD Focal Person – Ms. Mylanie P. Rea of Quezon Provincial Office

● Top Performing Livelihood Development Specialist- Ms. Jessa Mae B. Diesta of Rizal Provincial Office

● Top Performing TUPAD Coordinators:

Fatima P. Carvajal-Cavite Provincial Office

Reymond S. Reyes- Laguna Provincial Office

Clea C. Clavo- Batangas Provincial Office

Elaiza A. Orsua- Rizal Provincial Office

Marlon S. Lincoran-Quezon Provincial Office

Arcelle A. De Jesus-Technical Support and Services Division-Employment Promotion and Workers Welfare

Mariedell L. Espiritu-Internal Management and Services Division

● Best Accredited Co-Partner–Implementing DILP– Magallanes Womens Club Multi-Purpose Cooperative

Meanwhile, DOLE Cavite Provincial Director Marivic B. Martinez, extended her gratitude to partner agencies of the Department, recognizing their continuous support on the implementation of its Livelihood Programs.

“Nais din po naming pasalamatan ang aming mga partners and everyone who continues to support our livelihood programs hindi po natin itong kayang gawin nang mag-isa. Through cooperation and shared commitment, mas marami tayong matutulungan na magkaroon ng pagkakataon para umangat,” Dir. Martinez exclaimed.

The Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Justice-Parole and Probation Administration and Department of Agriculture were the partner agencies recognized during the activity.

Ms. Ma. Angelique E. Yaun, Supervising Labor and Employment Officer capped off the recognition rites by reminding the beneficiaries that more than the accomplishment, the stories embedded to it matters the most.

“Let us take a moment to celebrate not only the recognition that we gave today, but more importantly, the stories behind every achievement. Ang inyong mga kuwento ng sipag, tiyaga at pagsusumikap ay inspirasyon po sa ating lahat,” Ms. Yaun reminded.

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 230, Series of 2023, DOLE CALABARZON will continue to implement the Kabuhayan Awards to promote accountability, excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in program implementation.