Marginal Fisherfolks, now National Awardees for Best ...

Marginal Fisherfolks, now National

Awardees for Best Livelihood Project

T he Kahugpungan Sa Mga Masilakong Mananagat

or KASAMMA of Sagay, Camiguin was hailed as

the Best DOLE-Assisted Livelihood Project under

the Group Category for 2018. Their Tingco-

Tingco Boat and Net Fishing or Deep Sea Fishing Project

bested other regional candidates across the country, on

the night of May 11, 2018 at the Heritage Hotel, Manila.

Delighted and surprised, Mr. Fernando Ocaba, Chairman

of KASAMMA, received the plaque of award on behalf of

their organization, along with the officials from the DOLE

RO X. As he received the award, a sense of

accomplishment and humility, at the same time, exuded

from the man. “Di ko akalain na makukuha kami as

National Winner. Ang gusto lang namin ay maiangat ang

mga miyembro ng organisasyon namin sa kahirapan. Pero

wala kaming intensyon na makapunta sa taas at magka-

award pa”, said Mr. Ocaba.

On that very same evening, the Bureau of Workers with

Special Concerns had the opportunity to interview Mr.

Ocaba. Recalling his organization’s beginnings and how it

later on became a growing enterprise involved in helping

the community through environmental preservation, he

shared a story worth-remembering and practices worth-

emulating.

Mr. Ocaba recounted, “Noong nagsisimula kami, ang gusto

ko lang sana ay ang proyektong ibinigay ng DOLE sa amin

ay hindi masayang. Dapat inaalagaan ito at pinapalago.

Hanggang sa heto, nandito na kami. Nabigyan kami ng

pagkakataon na maging mas malaki. Kaya laking

pasasalamat namin sa DOLE. Itong project na ito ay hindi

lang sa amin, kundi sa aming buong munisipyo”.

Looking back, the men and women of KASAMMA were

impoverished prior to the formation of their organization

and engagement in the DOLE livelihood project. Their

income from fishing was just enough to buy rice and

inadequate to support the other needs of their children,

such as clothing, education, and healthcare. Renting the

low-quality fishing equipment further reduced their

earnings. According to the Project Manager, Ms. Teresita

P. Ocaba, their then income was insufficient to bear the

costs of water and electricity use.

Mr. Fernando Ocaba, Chairman of KASAMMA, holding the

plaque of award for Best DOLE-Assisted Livelihood Project

for 2018

E-KWENTO July 2018 Page 3

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa

inyo, DOLE. Sana ay mapalawak pa

ang inyong pagtulong sa ibang

organisasyon. Kung ano man ang

maitutulong pa namin ay handa

kaming tumulong. Salamat muli at

mabuhay ang DOLE”.

—Fernando Ocaba,

Chairman of KASAMMA

(Turn to Page 4)

T o uplift their economic condition, they formed KASAMMA through registration from the DOLE Regional

Office X and with the help of the Public Employment Service Office of Sagay, they applied for a livelihood

assistance through the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. On July 12, 2010, the organization was

granted a livelihood assistance in the amount of Php 400,000.00 for deep-sea fishing equipment such as nets

and boats.

Now, KASAMMA has become a

multi-awarded organization for their

livelihood project with good financial

standing, viable marketing, and

sustainable practices. They have also

expanded their entrepreneurial

undertakings into fish and squid

drying, salted fish production, bottled

sardines production, hog raising,

micro-financing, egg-laying, and rice

trading.

Moreover, members are now enrolled

in social protection schemes and their

children already have access to

education, as well as other basic needs. Hence, Mr. Ocaba and all the members of KASAMMA are grateful to the

DOLE, for opening their doors to opportunities. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa project na ibinigay nila sa amin para

umangat ang pamumuhay ng aming mga miyembro”, Mr. Ocaba said.

Photo by DOLE RO X

T ruly, KASAMMA used the livelihood assistance very well and continues to reach greater heights, making

them a promising enterprise and an empowered organization. But more importantly, what makes them

more remarkable and deserving of their award is this: Social Responsibility.

During the interview, Mr. Ocaba shared KASAMMA’s

pledge to continue the crusade in saving the natural

environment of Camiguin, “Advocacy namin na hindi

lang kami tumutulong sa miyembro namin kundi sa

buong komunidad. Kaya nagsasagawa kami ng mga

coastal clean-up at pagpepreserba ng mga bakawan.

Gusto naming ipaalam sa mga tao na ito ay mahalaga—

hindi lamang sa aming mga mangingisda, kundi sa

buong mundo. Ang pag-pepreserba natin sa kalikasan

ay dapat ipaalam sa iba para malaman nila ang tamang

pag-aalaga sa ating kapaligiran”.

He further mentioned, “Ito ay initiative lang namin at

walang nagtulak sa amin para gawin ito. Nakikita kasi

namin ang tabing dagat na talagang sira na dahil sa

illegal fishing. Kaya inumpisahan namin itong mga

ganitong gawain. Kung hindi man kami ang

makapagpatigil sa kanila, at least man lang ay may

maitulong kaming kaunti sa kalikasan”.

As the interview ended, Mr. Ocaba again gave his thanks

to the DOLE on behalf of his group. With their efforts to

sustain the project and their heart in serving the

community, the DOLE is also grateful to every member of KASAMMA. Your organization deserves not just the

award, but also the admiration of every Filipino.

E-KWENTO July 2018 Page 4

Photo by DOLE RO X

Photo by DOLE RO X