DOLE brings new ideas for livelihood enhancement

Northern Iloilo is considered as the fish capital of the region due to its numerous islands known to be breeding grounds of marine animals.

One of these islands is barangay Salvacion in the municipality of Concepcion, Iloilo

The island is abundant with fish and blue crabs (kasag), but the bountiful harvest is elusive for most of the marginalized fishers who lack facilities and fishing gears essential to their livelihood.

With the support oflocal government units, 86 fisher folks requested for assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6 Regional Office.

“Be an agent of change and transformation,” was the call of Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez Jr., for the employees upon receiving the request for livelihood enhancement.

DOLE RO 6 through its Iloilo Field Office introduced the concept of Gill Net Fishing Gear for Blue Crab Fishing and facilitated the release of Php1,239, 860 for its implementation.

The introduction of the gill net or the “palubog” fishing gear for blue crab farming offers an alternative to the traditional crab pot of “panggal” that uses “pa-on” or bait to lure the crabs.

“The new gill net, will provide opportunity for the beneficiary to increase their income by saving instead of buying baits and making repair of the old nets,” explained DOLE RO 6-Iloilo Field Office Head Melisa Navarra on the benefits of the project,

With the new fishing gears, nylon fishing net, rope, floats and sinker for the innovative blue crab fishing, the beneficiaries are inspired and confident that they will be bringing home more crabs to augment their income.