DOLE-7 spearheads livelihood program for fishers, workers

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment Central Visayas regional office aims to help more fishermen in the region under the Integrated Livelihood Assistance for Livelihood Advancement program aimed at uplifting the income of the fisherfolks.

Project ISLA of DOLE in collaboration with Local Government Units, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, is a distinctive scheme of the office that is intended for the marginalized fishermen in the coastal municipalities all over the Philippines .

 Through the project, income of those who have acquired from the assistance have reportedly boosted at least twice of their usual monthly income, which was made possible through the use of motorized fishing boats and other equipments being provided through the project.

DOLE-7 Assistant Regional Director Exequiel Sarcuaga said that they are intensifying the project in the region which have already helped numerous fisherfolks in Central Visayas.

Aside from the project for the fishermen, Sarcauga said that they are also strengthening the assistance given to workers that were affected with the crisis as well as the unemployed youths that are seeking for means of financial income.

Sarcuaga said that through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged workers, the beneficiaries would be able to attain short-term employment for crisis-affected workers and the unemployed youths through small infrastructure projects in the countryside.

The project is under the Comprehensive Livelihood Emergency Employment Program of the government that was stressed during the start of the economic turmoil which affected companies and industries thus the start of report of retrenchments and unemployment.

TUPAD project of DOLE is one of their ways to help the unemployed, disadvantaged and displaced workers that would be assisted through construction projects that would be paid by the Local Government Units and the labor expenses would be shouldered by DOLE.

Aside from this, the workers would also be given other benefits like Philhealth and free skills training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to prepare them for potential employment opportunities after their present projects would be completed.

Sarcauga said that this would be a great opportunity for the workers and they are presently seeking more ways to find means to cater to more beneficiaries of the project.