In a televised public briefing, DOLE-Zamboanga Peninsula Director Roy Buenafe said Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma has approved P10 million for the emergency employment program for workers that will be rendered jobless by the closed fishing season.
“Secretary Laguesma has approved the 2022 budget for the closed fishing season amounting to P10 million for our emergency employment program,” said Buenafe.
DOLE-Zamboanga Peninsula earlier said some 35,000 workers from the canning at fishing industry are expected to become jobless beginning December 1 due to the closed fishing season in the region.
According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the closed fishing season, which will last until March 1, 2023, aims to allow fish to spawn and repopulate the seas.
Buenafe said would-be displaced workers are set to be provided emergency employment assistance.
“They will be paid for 15 days as they will temporarily work in the farm,” he said.
The labor official said the DOLE regional office and all field offices in the Zamboanga Peninsula are prepared to assist those looking to avail of the assistance.
“All our offices are prepared to receive those looking to avail of the emergency employment,” said Buenafe.(HDT/SunStar Philippines)