Guimaras’ marginalized sectors receive DOLE-assisted livelihood projects

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The island barangays of Sinapsapan and Balcon Maravilla in the municipality of Jordan, Guimaras are blessed with natural beauty and bountiful resources.

On the other hand, Barangay Alaguisoc is an agricultural barangay that is full of potential considering its proximity to the province’s main commercial area.

The opportunity for additional income is within reach for the informal sector given the financial and technical support.

Most of the marginalized workers had been living in the barangays for years and had mastered the fishing and farming skills, However, there is insufficiency in capitalization and facilities.

With the determination to improve their economic condition, the fisherfolks and farmers of the said barangays, assisted by the Municipal Government of Jordan, requested for livelihood assistance.

Seeing its positive effect to the lives of the informal workers, Regional Director Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr. immediately directed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-6’s Guimaras Field Office to facilitate the proposed Php1.2-million livelihood project enhancement of the CAPTIM Fisherfolks Association, and the creation of livelihood projects of Sinapsapan Fisherfolks Association and the Alaguisoc Agrarian Reform Community Association.

“They have skills and expertise. If provided with trainings and financial assistance, the livelihood projects could help change their lives,” Rodriguez said.

He added that DOLE is aiding particularly those who are unserved, underserved, and hard-to-reach workers.

“We have these mandate to go to the grassroots level of the community and provide assistance aimed at improving the economic condition of the vulnerable sector,” he said.

CAPTIMS Fisherfolks Association fishing gear and accessories supply store was provided with an additional supply worth Php300,000 which includes fishing gears, oils and lubricants, gill nets and engine spare parts. The association has 32 members from Balcon Maravilla.

The Php 400,000.00 provision of fishing gear and accessories for supply store of the 41 fishermen from Sinapsapan Fisherfolks Association includes fishing hook and twine, fishing line, floaters, fishing engines, LED lamp and spare parts and materials for building and repair of fishing bancas.

DOLE also provided a Php500,000.00 inputs for Supply Store and Agricultural Supply Trading Projects of 43 Farmers from Alaguisoc Agrarian Reform Community Association.  The agricultural store was filled with fertilizers, hog feeds and veterinary medicines, seedlings and agricultural equipment.

To assist for its sustainability and smooth operations, the beneficiaries were also provided with trainings on simple bookkeeping, product marketing and legal requirements of businesses and Agri-Business and Biologic training for the farmers and orientation training on maritime safety and municipal fishing ordinances for the fisherfolks.

The turn-over of inputs was witnessed by Municipal Mayor Cresente Chavez of the Municipality of Jordan, which is DOLE’s accredited co-partner.