At least 57 members of the Cantapoy Fisherfolks Association (CAFA) in Malimono town, Surigao del Norte, will directly benefit from the PHP400,000 livelihood assistance released by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The DOLE-Surigao del Norte (DOLE-SDN), led by provincial head May C. Velonta, handed over the livelihood assistance to the officers and members of CAFA on Tuesday.

The financial assistance, released through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) of the agency, seeks to improve the mini-hardware supplies business of CAFA and its members.

“CAFA is engaged in supplying parts for engines and other accessories for pump boats of fishermen in the area,” Reggie Deberto, a support staff of the DILP program of DOLE-SDN, told the Philippine News Agency Wednesday.

Deberto said other groups in Surigao del Norte also benefited from the different programs of DOLE to help them cope with the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic.

In August this year, a group of women farmers under the San Isidro Multi-Purpose Cooperative in the town of Guigaquit were also provided with PHP1 million worth of tractor.

DOLE-SDN released the assistance in collaboration with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province.

Some PHP909,273 worth of fishing gears and equipment were also released by DOLE-SDN, through DILP, to the 105 members of Masgad United Fisherfolks Livelihood Association (MUFLA) in Malimono town in September this year.

In September, DOLE-SDN also released a tractor worth PHP800,000 to the 60 members of San Roque Farmers Association in Surigao City to help the group improve farm productivity. (PNA)