Displaced workers in Gensan turn entrepreneurs, open restaurant

GEN. SANTOS CITY - For members of Gensan’s Best Waiters Association, losing jobs might not be that hurting as it paved a way for them to venture into new waters when the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 12 awarded them with livelihood assistance amounting to P851,929 this year for their resto business in General Santos City.The group now owns a casual-fine dining restaurant and grill house called Kusina Otso which opened last month.The DOLE 12-funded restaurant is situated in the busy streets of Aparente in Barangay City Heights, General Santos City. Customers can experience exquisite cuisine, mix classic cocktails, and a live band.
Techie Alim of DOLE General Santos Field Office (GSCFO) headed the list of attendees who graced the opening of the restaurant together with Director Gerie Lampitco of National Conciliation and Mediation Board 12 and Domingo Azores of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) which served as the association’s accredited co-partner.Also present were personnel from the PNP and some local government officials.
We are thankful to DOLE for this help as we are also planning to provide other services to expand our market like putting up a function hall as reception for special events like weddings, birthdays, and conferences, said Pedro G. Tubil, the association’s president.
Prior to the release of grant, DOLE GSCFO in coordination with KMU had conducted orientation on DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program and project identification in line with the existing skills of the beneficiaries.
Gensan’s Best Waiters Association was formed from majority of members who were displaced from their jobs due to significant losses of their previous employers. Most of them worked on various hotels and restaurants in Gen. Santos City.
The department helps regain employment of displaced workers through our livelihood programs which could eventually make them successful entrepreneur, DOLE 12 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, said.