“This grant aims to improve the lives of fisherfolks in the town of Sinunuc since it is their main source of income and to boost the fishery sector in the area,” he added. 

DOLE 9 represented by Officers Macaraya M. Adil and Sylvia delos Santos turned over the boat and accessories worth Php 499,997.80 to BCA President Abdulmari Nawala in the presence of Engr. George Jocutan of the National Commision on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

NCIP, an Accredited Co-Partner of the DOLE, shall take charge of project monitoring and capacity building training to assist the association in its operations. 

Mr. Adil, in his message, encouraged the association to open a bank account to deposit savings and to enroll members to the Social Security System and Philhealth. 

Barangay Councilor Mahmud Imlani expressed his gratitude to DOLE and NCIP for giving BCA the priority for livelihood assistance. 

BCA President Nawali shared the same sentiment and emphasized his commitment to take good care of the project and to become an instrument to uplift the lives of each individual in the Badjau Community.

“Hinangkami kahemon asupaya pasong in pagusaha maalaw susungon (We will do our best to sustain our livelihood for our future),” said Nawali. 

Through DILP, DOLE is able to help various communities of Indigenous Peoples as it is one of the priority sectors for livelihood formation. END/With report from Joni Sarina R. Mejico