The ceremonial signing of the Human Rights and Social Responsibility (HRSR) Policies, Grievance Mechanism, and Age Verification Process of the SARGEN Fish Port Tuna Handline Fishing Association Inc. and its members marked a significant milestone in institutionalizing social responsibility within the local tuna handline sector. Held on June 19, 2025, at Sun City Suites, General Santos City, the event highlighted the collective commitment to uphold labor standards, ethical practices, and fair treatment of workers at sea.
The signing was graced and witnessed by key representatives from government and industry, including DOLE Region XII Regional Director Joel M. Gonzales, BFAR Region XII Assistant Regional Director Omar Sabal, DOLE Region XII OIC–Assistant Regional Director Fatima Bataga, SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries Inc. President Kenrick Teng, Gerry Jazmin from the Fresh Frozen Seafood Association of the Philippines, Inc., Chicklet Rillo, Executive Director of the South Cotabato Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Myrvic Kapunan, Executive Director of the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce, and Faith Batatin from the General Santos City Agriculture Office.
To support the proper implementation of the signed policies, essential materials were formally turned over to SARGEN Handline officers and individual company owners. These resources are designed to operationalize the grievance and age verification systems across the fishery, and include:
Grievance Form Template
Grievance Box
Online Grievance Form
Grievance Hotline (with dedicated phone, mobile number, and preloaded SIM)
Grievance Email Address
Grievance Tracking Logbook
Age Verification Tracking Logbook
This initiative reinforces the SARGEN Handline group’s role as a leader in ethical and rights-based fisheries management, ensuring that mechanisms for worker protection are not only in place but actively used by stakeholders throughout the industry.
