PINK PEPPER
DOLE provides assistance to model boat makers
The turnover of machines to the
recipients
The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 6 turned over a check amounting to P81,000 and P161,000-worth of equipment to the Guimaras Model Galleon Makers Association last November 5.
The association was formerly known as the Rizal Yacht-Makers Association and founded in 1994. It assumed its present name in 2004. Today, there are around 50 active members who are engaged in making handicrafts such as model-sized galleons, yachts, paraw and sailboats.
Barangay Rizal was among the 36 villages in the town of Buenavista, Guimaras that engage in model galleon making.
Dole 6 Assistant Director Crispin
Dannug Jr, Board Member Roy Habaña
and Engr Filomeno Sonza turn over the
equipment to Benito Ferrer.
Before, the residents' primary sources of livelihood were just fishing and passenger-motorboat crew. Due to the rapid increase in population, their income had become insufficient, thus they ventured to handicrafts such as displays yachts, galleons, paraw and sailboats. These products are known even in other parts of the country.
Benito Ferrer told your Pink Pepper that he is happy for the support they got. Through the financial support, he said that their work would be faster. "We will take good care of them," he said, referring to the machines.
"In behalf of all the members, I thank the Department of Labor and Employment and this means a lot to us," he added.
Awarding of the check.
Ferrer is the fifth association president. He started making miniature galleons at an early age. He said that yacht making is a big help to the villagers. Parents were able to send their children to college.
Meanwhile, Engineer Filomeno Sonza, head of the Iloilo-Guimaras provincial office, said that the machines will help them improve their products, making it possible for them to come up those deserving to be exported.
"We give you this machine to sustain your livelihood project," Sonza said.
He also stressed that DOLE has three pro-poor programs and services --- capacity building program for livelihood enhancement, capacity building program for livelihood restoration and capacity building program for livelihood formation.
The turnover was done as part of DOLE's caravan in line with their 75th anniversary.