For Joseph J. Pastrana, every day has always been about finding ways to provide for his family.
The Molo, Iloilo City resident, who is a person with disability, works as a tricycle driver to support his wife and four children. With one child in college, another in high school, one in elementary school, and the youngest still in early childhood, making ends meet has become an uphill climb as household expenses continue to grow.
On June 22, 2026, a new opportunity came his way through the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 and its Iloilo Field Office.
Pastrana received a Negosyo sa Kariton livelihood package that will help him start a street food business selling kwek-kwek, tempura, fish balls, French fries, and other snacks. The small venture will cater to students and nearby residents while giving him an additional source of income alongside his tricycle driving.
The livelihood package also reconnects him with work he once knew well. Before becoming a tricycle driver, Pastrana earned a living by selling ice cream to students. That business ended after a fire swept through their community in January 2023, destroying both their home and the equipment he relied on to earn a living.
Seeing his determination to keep supporting his family despite those setbacks, DOLE recommended him for the Negosyo sa Kariton Project. The assistance matched both his experience in food vending and the demand within his community.
Livelihood programs such as this help vulnerable workers build stronger and more dependable sources of income by providing support suited to their circumstances.
For Pastrana, the food cart offers more than another way to earn. It brings renewed hope that he can continue sending his children to school while giving his family greater financial stability.
A helping hand can change the direction of someone’s life. If this story inspires you, consider supporting a livelihood project in your own community or working with friends, your workplace, or your organization to help someone take the first step toward a better future.
