DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Dumaguete City government have distributed 80 fiberglass motorized fishing boats to fishermen in the city.

The fishing boats, which aim to benefit around 240 local fisherfolks and their families, were turned over in a simple ceremony at the Pantawan 2 Rizal Boulevard on Dec. 7.

Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo urged the beneficiaries who are members of 12 fisherfolk associations in Barangays Bantayan, Piapi, Looc, Poblacion 1 (Tinago), Calindagan, Mangnao, and Banilad to take care of their fishing boats which are durable, so they would last longer and give their respective families increased income.

The city government has thanked DOLE for the release of P25 million worth of Integrated Livelihood Program that includes Nego-Karts for street vendors, bicycles, and cellular phones for massage therapists and emergency employment under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD benefitting thousands of residents.

The mayor lauded DOLE, including the City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), City Agriculturist Office, and City Sectoral Desk Office for their assistance in the implementation of the project that will help local fishermen to catch first class fish and provide fresh and affordable supply of fish to support restaurants and hotels and generate employment.

According to Remollo, the project was proposed to former DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello after a meeting in 2020 with city councilors who were each asked to identify 10 beneficiaries, thus the allocation of 80 units of fiberglass motorized fishing boats.  

Each boat can be used by a team of three fisherfolks, thus with 80 units, there are a total of 240 beneficiaries.

Among the fisherfolk associations identified as beneficiaries of the motorized fiberglass fishing boats are Bantayan Fisherfolks Association, Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Piapi Purok Anduhaw, Looc Fisherfolks Association, Calindagan Fisherfolks Association, Canday-ong Calindagan Fisherfolks Association, Calindagan United Women’s Association, Women’s Canday-ong Calindagan, Mangnao Fisherfolk Association, Calindagan Mangnao Banilad Fisherfolk Association, Dumaguete City Bangus Fry Association and Banilad Manguilawod Fisherfolks Association. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)