CLARK FREEPORT – Ten solo parent from the town of Porac received Pangkabuhayan Karts from Clark Development Corporation (CDC), amounting to P110,000, in a bid to help them have a sustainable source of income.
In his report to CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil, Assistant Vice President Rommel C. Narciso for External Affairs Division (EAD) said 10 carts were turned over Monday (March 20) to the beneficiaries after the flag-raisng ceremonies of the government employees of Porac town.
The turnover of carts from CDC— dubbed as “Tulong Kabuhayan Para sa Maginhawang Buhay— was witnessed by members of Sangguniang led by Councilor Olga Frances David Dizon, who is also president of the Pampanga Councilors League; Councilors Bayan Michelle C. Bengco, Ludivico B. Muli, and Vice Mayor Dexter Albert A. David.
Manankil said this is one way of empowering solo parents to give hope amid challenges through this simple livelihood project of CDC.
This initiative is part CDC’s Corporate Responsibility Project to develop entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency for indigent members of the communities in the surrounding Metro Clark Area.
These carts are start-up mobile carts appropriate for entrepreneurs engaged in street-food business. Each unit costs P11,000.
The CDC-EAD said the beneficiaries of the 10 units of Pangkabuhayan mobile karts were Imelda Quidit (from barangay Calzadang Bayu); Erlinda Malit (Sta. Cruz); Marites Cura (Planas); Rosario Garcia (Pio Model Community); Evelyn Giluane (manibaug); Rowena Paragas (Cangatba); Maylin Balagtas (Calzadang Bayu); Rosalie De Guzman (Balubad); Bernadeth Sula (Sta. Cruz) and Elizabeth Reyes (Pio).
Some 40 already benefitted from CDC’s Pangkabuhayan Karts since it’s inception in 2014, the CDC-EAD reported.
Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, there are about 14 million solo parents in the Philippines. The increasing number of solo parents has led the national government to pass Republic Act 8972, or the Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000, which was promulgated on November 7, 2000.
Under this act, one is considered a solo parent so long as the person is solely responsible for the upbringing of a child. This law also considers as a solo parent those who are left to care for children not their own, such as nephews, nieces, or godchildren.