ZAMBOANGA CITY – Workers in the informal sector were honored in the Labor Day Celebration conducted just for them last May 21, 2023 at the Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9.

Regional Director Albert E. Gutib said that the celebration aims to acknowledge the social and economic contributions of the workers in the Region.

The celebration highlighted financial literacy for the 200 informal sector workers who attended the event. With expert speakers from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the sessions covered the 7Ms in uplifting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and maximizing the use of social media in marketing goods.

To complement and bolster productivity of MSMEs, participants were oriented on occupational safety and health through the Bringing Back Jobs Safely initiative of the International Labour Organization and the Japanese Government.

Director Gutib along with LGU Zamboanga City Mayor John M. Dalipe, District 1 Representative Manuel Jose M. Dalipe and District 2 Representative Khymer Adan Olaso led the awarding of livelihood checks to five workers associations namely: Tulungatung Lower and Upper House Women’s Association (TLUHWA), Pasilmanta Tulong sa Pangingisda Association (PTPA), Lagua Fisherfolk Association (LFA), Roquean’s Women Organization (RWO) and Panyam Seaweeds Farmer Association (PSFA).

These associations received a total of PHP 3,233,107.00 in grants for various projects such as bread and pastry production, boats and fishing equipment, rice retailing and seaweed rafts benefitting 269 informal sector workers.

Other activities held were raffles and games, medical mission, skills demonstration and free services through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). END