MAMBAJAO, Ccamiguin (PIA)--The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 Camiguin Provincial Field Office (Cam PFO) turned over the livelihood enhancement on Boiler Chicken Production Project of Hubangon Fisherfolk Association (HUFIA) at Hubangon, Mahinog, here.

DOLE Camiguin PFO OIC-Chief Arlyn Z. Bael said HUFIA started as a small group and registered under DOLE-10 since November 20, 2011. The membership subsequently increased to 68 members when they were granted a livelihood financial assistance by DOLE-10 and several other enhancements for the said project.

On 2018, the project was enrolled as Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF). They were also registered as Accredited as Co-Partner (ACP) under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP). This development urged the group to open more employment opportunities to Hubangon constituents.

As the group expanded even to their facilities and chicken production, they were again granted with another DILEEP enhancement worth P572,955.  It covered some 5,500 chick heads; assorted sacks of feeds; vitamins/supplements; and equipment tools.

Bael commended the group on their initiative to adopt to new production technologies and move to another health conducive location. Further, she continued to motivate the members to learn more skills and new technologies to transform the organization into a community enterprise.  

HUFIA Chairman Michael Maamo said, “Dako gyud among pasalamat sa DOLE sa makanunayong tabang kay dili maing-ani among proyekto kung wala sila magpakabana. Mao nang amoa gyud ni tarungon ug palambuon pa usab para daghan pa mi matabangan nga katawhan hilabi na sa pag-supply sa manok danhi sa atoang probinsya.”

(We are very thankful to DOLE for their continuous aid, because our project would not be this successful without their contribution and constant monitoring. That is why we aim to sustain and improve it, more so that we can help other people in providing the demand and supply for broiler chickens here in our province)

Likewise, HUFIA Treasurer Salome Baja said, “Maski nag-pandemic karon mapasalamaton ko na kanunay nga nagpabilin gihapon nga malig-on ang among asosasyon ug sa maayong paglambo sa amoang proyekto sa broiler chicken nga pirmi jud hurot-hurot ang amoang baligya sa amoang mga suki.”

(In the midst of pandemic I am very thankful that our association continued to grow and we are so thankful that our chickens are always sold out by our regular customers)

The DILEEP is an umbrella program of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP). Per Department Order No. 173, Series of 2017, it contributes to poverty reduction and reduces the vulnerability of risks of the poor, especially the child laborers, and marginalized workers either through transitional emergency employment, and promotion of livelihood and entrepreneurship. (DOLE Camiguin/PIA-10/Camiguin)