Siargao tourism workers train on hydroponics
By Susil D. Ragas
This initiative represents the national government’s push to equip vulnerable workers with sustainable skills that can thrive in the island’s expanding tourism and agri-food industries.
Also, this convergence effort serves as a signal of a significant shift in government support, moving beyond temporary relief toward long-term economic empowerment.
This breakthrough initiative unites the Department of Labour and Employment’s program on Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in partnership with the Siargao Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (STIPC), forming a crucial part of the 2025 Strategic Compliance Plan (SCP) for the priority sector in Surigao del Norte.
Luzvifeno Miguel Cab, DOLE’s senior labor and employment officer and Siargao Island satellite head, illustrated the value of pairing immediate financial assistance with long-term capability building.
“The integrated approach ensures workers are not merely supported during economic difficulty but are guided toward developing sustainable livelihoods that can withstand market shifts and seasonal tourism cycles.”
TESDA’s involvement strengthened the training component by providing technical expertise and structured learning, ensuring that beneficiaries received nationally recognised competencies.
The beneficiaries were trained in crop production techniques using water-based systems that are both environmentally efficient and highly adaptable to limited land spaces.
One of the participants, Annabelle, said, “The DOLE’s training on hydroponics has been a game-changer for us in the tourism sector. Often, our work depends on the season, but hydroponics gives us a year-round opportunity to be productive.”
“We are now equipped to produce high-quality vegetables in small spaces, which is perfect for our local eco-tourism initiatives. We are grateful for this bridge toward a more sustainable and secure future,” she added.
The training culminated with the release of the participants’ TUPAD allowances on December 4, with each participant receiving P4,350.
The program’s success reinforces the growing call for convergence among government agencies by combining DOLE’s livelihood interventions with TESDA’s capacity-building programs, communities with holistic support that empowers workers not only to recover but to progress. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DOLE-Surigao del Norte)
