LEGAZPI CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) -- Some 154 fishermen from eight villages in Gubat town of Sorsogon province get brand new boats and fishign gears amounting P924,000 from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under the Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).
“ Dati naghuhuram ako ki banka sa pagkua ki sea shells na pinapabakal ko para sa pangaroaldaw mi na pangangaipo. Niyan mas maray na an samuyang pamumuhay ta harayo na an samuyang naabot sa pangingisda ta may sadiri na kaming sakayan kan sakuyang agum. Sabay kami na namamalakaya (I used to borrow a boat to gather sea shells to sell to provide for our everyday needs, yet now we have our own boat. It has helped us ease the burden to earn since I can now make use of our new boat for fishing)," Trinidad Caloto, 37 yrs. old and a fisherfolk from Barangay Cogon Gubat, Sorsogon.
"Their smiles alone are testimonies that DOLE Bicol brought them something that could help in their everyday lives. It’s fulfilling.” DOLE Bicol officer in charge Atty. Ma. Karina Perida Trayvilla said after she personally handed over the livelihood grants to the beneficiaries at the Andaya, Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gubat last September.
“Nagpapasuhol ako bilang baggage ki paroy sa mga nagpapa trucking. Niyan may fish net na ako na mapagkakakitaanko. Dakula natabang sa pag ereskwela kan mga batit ko. Lain pa masyado rugado ang lawas ko (I used to work as baggage boy for a rice trucker. My body aches at the end of the day. Now that I have a fish net I will have an everyday livelihood. It will be a great help for the schooling of my kids).” Marbin Pastor, 37 yrs. old of Barangay Buenavista, Gubat Sorsogon.
“Dati ballad helper ako ng pinsan ko, nagkukuha ki sea shells ang hanapbuhay ko. Minsan nakikipasada ki tricycle. Nyan may gamit na ako na fish net para may sadiri na akong mapagkakakitaan sa pang oro aldaw. Pasalamat ako sa pagkakataon na itinao sakuya kan DOLE (I used to work as baclad helper of my cousin. My main source of income is catching sea shells and sometimes as tricycle driver. With the new fish net I will have my own livelihood everyday. Thank you DOLE).” said Jun C. Caligayan, 43 yrs. old of Sitio Mabaga, Rizal, Gubat, Sorsogon.
The livelihood assistance project for the fisherforks is also a partnership initiative with the municipal government of Gubat, which since been pursuing fishery development and marine resources conservation measures for a sustainable development f the industry. (MAL/NEC-DOLESorsogon/PIA5)