ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment-9 (DOLE-9) has released PHP60,000 worth of livelihood starter kits to three victims of human trafficking. The livelihood project was implemented through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) in partnership with the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) in Zamboanga Peninsula. Lawyer Roy Buenafe, DOLE regional director, said the livelihood starter kits are composed of grocery items and sacks of rice sufficient to start a neighborhood sundry store (sari-sari store). Buenafe lauded the efforts of the PNP-WCPC in endorsing potential recipients to avail DOLE's programs and services. "Thank you to our law enforcement officers for not only protecting citizens from criminals but also for being links between the victims to avail of the livelihood assistance," Buenafe said in a statement on Monday. He said the assistance they provided to the recipients might only be small-scale but the expansion of the business lies in their hands. One of the three recipients of the livelihood assistance fell victim to illegal recruitment and worked in Damascus, Syria in 2019 as a domestic helper. She was mistreated and abused by her employers, prompting her to escape and seek help from the Philippine Embassy. "Thank you PNP for assisting and bringing us to DOLE for us to receive this kind of livelihood assistance," she said. (PNA) }