DOLE grants livelihood aid to NegOr fishermen

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Negros Oriental released P500,000 livelihood assistance to Lipayo Fishermen Association in Dauin town.

DOLE-NegOr officer-in-charge Vivencio Lagahid said the latest beneficiary under the integrated livelihood program is a group of 38 fishermen whose main livelihood is taking passenger-tourists in small boats to Apo Island.

The association used the financial grant to buy big pump boat to ferry tourist-passengers to Apo, said Lagahid.

Apo Island is among the top best diving sites and tourist destinations in the world that is off the coasts of Dauin and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental.

Through the project, the fishermen’s income is expected to increase.

The DOLE has also released P3 million in livelihood assistance to various fishermen’s associations in the province under its Integrated Services for Livelihood Advancement program.

Lagahid said 20 organizations from the municipalities of Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Dauin, Valencia, Bacong, Sibulan and cities of Bayawan and Canlaon received the livelihood assistance.

Aside from the project for the fishermen, Lagahid said they are also providing post harvest facilities such as mini corn mill to farmers.

Lagahid said DOLE will regularly monitor the organizations after the release of funds.

Under the agreement, the recipient-organization is required to submit a status report on their project, said DOLE official.