The Department of Labor and Employment-Bicol (DOLE-5), through its Albay Provincial Field Office, distributed 81 motorized fiberglass boats to typhoon-affected fisherfolk in Tiwi town.

In a social media post on Wednesday, DOLE-5 said the PHP3-million project is under its DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

DOLE-Bicol Regional Director Ma. Zenaida Angara-Campita said with these newly-distributed boats, the locals can now regain their livelihood through fishing.

“I hope na itong kaunting tulong ng pamahalaan, hindi lang po ng DOLE, ay paunlarin ninyo dahil ito po ay ang magbibigay sa inyo ng pang araw-araw na pagkakakitaan (I hope this little help from the government, not just with DOLE, you will develop it because this will give you daily income),” she said.

Leon Comota, 65 years old, one of the recipients of the motorized boats, said: “Dati, nakikisama lang ako pumalaot, pero ngayon, tuwang-tuwa po kami na may sarili na kaming bangka na pwede gamitin araw-araw (Before, I would just join other fishermen in going out to the sea, but now, we are very happy that we have our own boat that we can use everyday).”

Meanwhile, Tiwi Mayor Jaime C. Villanueva expressed his gratitude to DOLE-Bicol for the help extended to his constituents.

“Dakula tabi an satuyang ipagpapasalamat sa DOLE. Kang nagdigdi si Secretary Bello, naimbitiran po ako sa Legazpi asin nag agad po kitang tabang asin maogmahon na yaon su realisasyon na yaon su promersiya na makatabang lalong-lalo na sa indong mga taga sira (Thank you DOLE. When Secretary (Silvestre) Bello visited Albay, we were invited to attend a meeting with him in Legazpi, and ask for assistance, and I am happy that the realization of his promise for help, particularly for the fishermen),” he said.

The DILP is a capacity-building scheme to improve the livelihood of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized workers through individual or group livelihood projects or undertakings. (PNA)