DOLE assists canning workers affected by fishing ban

By: Clennkei C. Peñalosa

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept 1 (PIA) – Department of Labor and Employment 9 (DOLE 9) prepares the assistance for approximately 35,000 to 60,000 canning factory workers, who will be affected by the closed fishing ban season in Zamboanga Peninsula on December.

DOLE-9 and its stakeholders came up with Project Hope under Tulong Pangkabuhayan Program (TUPAD) to help disadvantaged and displaced workers during fishing bans or during the closed fishing season for three months every year.

Photo Credits: Bong Serondo 

DOLE-9 Regional Director Roy Buenafe said the budget of TUPAD increases for the implementation this year.

He stressed to help the workers during the fishing ban, under Project Hope, workers in the canning and fishing factories and companies cultivate the Project Hope Farm that produces raw materials needed in the canning factories.

Project Hope Cooperative supplies chili products which are one of the main ingredients taken from the farm, and others like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots. During the season, the farm supplies squash, sayote, and other vegetables as necessary provisions for the fishing vessels.

In December, if the cooperative is able to issue dividends, this will go to the workers and they will use it to cover at least one month without a salary after the fishing ban.

Factory workers continue to request that funds will be increased for the program through an ITC resolution institutionalizing the TUPAD every closed fishing season.

“We have to give value to the industry because many people depend on it”, Dir. Buenafe added.

The closed fishing season which will start on December 1 to February 28, is one way of conserving and improving fish stocks and other marine resources. Commercial fishing is banned during the closed season in the conservation areas such as the Sibugay Bay, East Sulu Sea, and Basilan Straight. (MLE/CCP/PIA9-ZamboangaCity)