by Franklin P. Gumapon
ROXAS, Zamboanga del Norte, March 26 (PIA) – In keeping with President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III’s goal of improving the living condition of the marginal sectors in the countryside, the Roxas Sardines Livelihood Association (RSLA) in Barangay Dohinob here has recently received P800 thousand worth of livelihood project consisting of a training center and equipment for bottled sardines making.
In a simple turnover ceremony the other day, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-IX headed by Regional Director Sisinio Cano, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) represented by Provincial Director Noel Bazan and Zamboanga del Norte second district representative Rosendo S. Labadlabad have turned-over the sardines training center and a set of equipment to RSLA.
The DOLE through its conduit, the DTI, allotted for this project P450 thousand to be used in the training and procurement of equipment such as gas stoves, pressure cookers and other utensils.
Congressman Labadlabad also donated from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) P350 thousand for the construction of the training center.
In his message before the officers and members of RSLA, Labadlabad appealed to the organization to strive and make said livelihood project grow “so they can also help others who are in need.”
RSLA has now 26 members who are mostly housewives of small fishermen in the locality.
RSLA President Angelita Renquijo has expressed her gratitude to DOLE, DTI and to Congressman Labadlabad for giving her group an alternative livelihood that would help each member earn additional income for his/her family. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)