DOLE gives P3-M worth of wooden boats to Alaminos City boatmen

MALASIQUI: Six boatmen associations in Alaminos City, Pangasinan have each received a motorized wooden boat from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) under its Integrated Livelihood Program. Alaminos City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office assistant head Rosalie Aruelo, in an interview on Thursday, said the beneficiaries are three associations whose boats are stationed at the Lucap Wharf, one association in Bued Mangrove Park, and two at the Bolo Beach station. 'There are around 700 members who will benefit from this project since the income from their respective boats will be divided among their respective members,' she said in Filipino. The wooden boats, dubbed Tourist Banca (tourist boat), has the capacity to ferry up to 16 passengers, cost around PHP500,000 each, and will offer deluxe tour package at the Hundred Islands National Park. The turn-over ceremony was held on Thursday at the Lucap Wharf but business permits are still to be processed before the boats will be allowed to operate, Arue lo said. The DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program helps vulnerable workers such as the self-employed, landless farmers, unpaid family workers, displaced workers, parents of child laborers, and low-wage seasonal workers. Source : Philippines News agency