ZAMBOANGA CITY - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has released a PHP1.6-million fund for its BikeCINATION Project that will provide livelihood assistance to fully vaccinated informal sector workers in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The livelihood assistance that will be given through the BikeCINATION Project is in the form of bicycles and other delivery and vending equipment and tools. Lawyer Roy Buenafe, DOLE regional director, said in a statement Wednesday that the BikeCINATION Project will provide incentives to workers who have completed two doses of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccine. Buenafe said the project also aims to cushion the impact of the health pandemic on informal sector workers. Buenafe said the PHP1.6-million livelihood fund was released to the intended recipients of the project through the Ipil Market Vendors Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Imavemco), one of DOLE's accredited co-partners identified to implement and monitor the progress of the project in the region. The livelihood fund will benefit 65 beneficiaries from Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Isabela City. They will be given bicycles and other delivery and vending equipment and tools to start a livelihood. "Through this project, DOLE will provide a package of assistance which includes a working capital in the form of equipment and tools for delivery and vending business, coverage to micro-insurance under the GSIS, and training depending on the needs and requirements of the project. The maximum amount of assistance is PHP 25,000," Buenafe said. He said the BikeCINATION Project is still a part of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program, an assistance grant for entrepreneurial ventures for the working poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers. He said the project also forms part of the National Employment Recovery Strategy, a medium-term plan anchored on the Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan which aims to facilitate safe and strong economic recovery amidst the pandemic. (PNA) }