The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has distributed livelihood assistance worth P4.3 million pesos to support fishing and farming communities in Occidental Mindoro province, officials said.

Three fisherfolk associations in Paluan municipality received P2.9 million pesos in fishing equipment, comprising styrofoam buoy floats, ropes, plastic drums, cement, and used tires for constructing fish aggregating devices locally known as payao.

The materials will also be used to build 45-foot wooden fishing boats, benefiting 140 local fishermen.

The beneficiary groups – Mariil Power Fisherfolk Association, Marikit Fisherfolk Association, and Paluan-Harrison Fisherfolk Association – were selected based on certification from local government units, according to DOLE provincial officer Gener Francisco.

In a separate program, the Sitio Esperanza San Isidro Farmers Association received agricultural equipment worth P1.36 million pesos, including a tractor, at a recent ceremony in San Jose municipality.

Association president Catalina R. Monterola said the tractor would help improve farm efficiency and yields.

“This is a big help to farmers, making our work more efficient and helping us achieve better yields,” she said in Filipino.

“This will improve productivity and contribute to food security in the province,” DOLE Provincial Director Peter James D. Cortazar told the handover ceremony.

The assistance is part of DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood Program aimed at supporting rural communities in the country where fishing and farming remain major sources of income.

Local officials including San Jose Mayor Rey C. Ladaga, Vice Mayor Santiago Javier, and Public Employment Service Office Manager Rolando R. Ladao III attended the equipment distribution, which was implemented in partnership with LGUs.