More jobs for Argao folks through milkfish project

CEBU, Philippines - In support to the move towards economic development, the Department of Labor and Employment-7 formally awarded the “Bangus in Pen Project” to the municipality of Argao in a blessing and turnover ceremony last Wednesday.

“It is one of the priorities of DOLE programs that focus on the plight of the informal sector who, for quite some time, has been wanting in terms of direct assistance by way of financial support, technical capability, and competence to direct themselves towards becoming future and successful entrepreneurs,” DOLE-7 assistant regional director Exequiel Sarcauga said.

More jobs will come directly from the project which is expected to provide additional employment and income to the caretakers. Their main function is to feed and monitor the growth of the fingerlings and maintenance of the pen. Pen monitoring includes shifting of schedules 24/7 (or all days of the week) to protect the investment.

Once harvested, the milkfish will be deboned and sold at a higher rate. 

Another set of members will be employed for deboning and packaging.  Aiming at supplying most of the fresh and affordable boneless milkfish in the market today, the group will undergo a five-in-one training that will focus on project management, business management, marketing, product packaging, safety and health and productivity in cooperation with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Argao municipal government.

This project is part of the DOLE deliverables by 2010 that help livelihood of fisherfolks to become viable and sustainable under the Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement or ISLA.

The grant includes acquisition of fishing materials, gears and paraphernalia and alternative livelihood.

Meanwhile Argao Mayor Edcel Galeos is grateful for the DOLE assistance to develop an enterprise that can generate more jobs in his area of responsibility.

He is delighted by the sincerity of DOLE towards enterprise development. He expressed support to DOLE programs and services.

Mr. Rustico Yangyang, Jr., chairman of the Binlod Multipurpose Cooperative, thanked the DOLE-7 and Mayor Galeos for the trust bestowed upon them through the grant.

The members of Binlod Coop vowed to develop the project to become an industry that will offer more jobs in the locality. — Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)