Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III made the Christmas celebration merrier for fishermen and other informal workers in Batangas where he distributed various livelihood assistance of the government.

In relentless efforts to help workers affected by COVID-19, Bello on Monday awarded motor boat engines and livelihood packages in the towns of Taal and Mataas na Kahoy.

Bello said the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is determined to provide workers a meaningful Christmas amid the pandemic.

“It is my wish that our workers enjoy a merry, bountiful and safe Christmas celebration,” he said.

In Barangay Bugtong, Taal, 25 motorboat engines were awarded to benefit 65 pandemic-hit fishermen.

The P750,000 worth of assistance was lauded by barangay chairman Romeo Tamayo who thanked Bello for aiding his constituents.

“My people got no support from the national government when our barangay was hit by the Taal volcano eruption and the pandemic. Only now did we get help and it’s from DOLE led by Secretary Bello,” Tamayo said.

“Thanks a lot Secretary Bello for remembering us,” he added.

Meanwhile, a total of P1.2 million in livelihood packages were given to 40 beneficiaries in Mataas na Kahoy.

The recipients received ‘Nego-Karts’ which are small businesses worth P30,000 each to help them earn during the crisis.