ZAMBOANGA CITY, February 18, 2022 – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 Regional Director Atty. Roy L. Buenafe, Nancy Fishing Corporation (NFC) General Manager Engr. Julius V. Daniel and Project HOPE Agricultural Cooperative (PHAC) Chairperson Engr. Jaydrick Yap formally signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to implement the Adopt-a-Farm project on February 11, 2022 at the Project HOPE Site, Zamboanga ECOZONE, San Ramon, Talisayan, Zamboanga City.

The Adopt-A-Farm project follows the concept of allowing canning companies to assume a designated area in the Project HOPE demo farm by funding raw materials and farm inputs for vegetable production. Partner companies then purchase the produce from farmers at market price.

“This is a very beneficial partnership not only for the parties involved, but also for the beneficiaries of Project HOPE and their dependents, to ensure that there is a steady demand for vegetable produce,” Atty. Buenafe said.

He added that the newly forged partnership will help the Project HOPE beneficiaries raise sufficient funds to sustainably manage the farm and implement other income generating activities.

PHAC Chairperson Yap welcomed this very first partnership with NFC.

“Thank you so much NFC for the valuable support to this project. Rest assured that the Project HOPE officers and members will not waste all the support given,” he said in his speech.

NFC GM Engr. Daniel commended DOLE 9 and the PHAC for the consistent effort in providing livelihood opportunities to displaced workers in the fishing and canning industry.

PHAC will begin constructing greenhouses and preparing plots/seedlings in late February 2022.

NFC joins Universal Canning Incorporated, Century Pacific Food Inc. and Permex Producer & Exporter Corporation in the roster of canning companies that are in partnership with DOLE 9 and PHAC.

Present on behalf of Zamboanga Ecozone Chairperson Raul M. Regondola is Deputy Administrator Reynond B. Pareja, PESO Manager Joselito Nuevo, DOLE 9 Staff, PHAC officers and members.

Project HOPE stands for Project Helping Others Prosper Economically. It provides temporary or alternative employment to workers and their dependents through the availment of either skills training, livelihood or emergency employment.

It follows the “Trabaho, Negosyo at Kabuhayan” framework of the government while the Closed Fishing Season is observed from December to February of the following year.