SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has funded the establishment of a digital studio in Sorsogon City, now being used by local media workers.
The DOLE-Bicol and Media Association of Sorsogon Service Cooperative (Masoseco) signed a grant contract under the agency’s Adjustment Measures Program (AMP) worth P423,739.
According to Robert Labalan, president of Masoseco, the grant has allowed the cooperative to acquire professional-grade media equipment and establish a fully functional digital studio that is now operational and serving the local community online.
“Through the DOLE-AMP, Masoseco received a comprehensive support package designed to help our local media workers in Sorsogon adapt to the evolving economic and technological landscape,” Labalan said.
The DOLE-AMP supports micro, small, and medium enterprises and cooperatives in preserving jobs and enhancing competitiveness during economic challenges.
It provides assistance packages for displaced workers and struggling businesses, with grants ranging from P500,000 to P1.5 million for eligible enterprises. The aim is to protect vulnerable workers and strengthen local cooperatives.
For Masoseco, this assistance is a vital lifeline for media practitioners in Sorsogon.
“Our availment of AMP assistance is not just about financial relief—it’s a strategic investment in resilience, skills, and community impact. It positions our cooperative as a strong player in Sorsogon’s news, creative, and cultural sectors while ensuring our members are protected and empowered,” said Labalan.
Siony Alejo, the secretary of Masoseco, said that the grant gives their team better jobs, security, and confidence.
“Besides the establishment of our studio-cum office, is the acquisition of essential media tools that allow us, members, to be at par with larger news outlets,” Alejo added.
DOLE Regional Director Imelda Gatinao said that Masoseco has aligned with DOLE’s mandate to protect media workers’ livelihoods.
“This collaboration underscores DOLE’s commitment to supporting the creative industry and ensuring that local cooperatives remain viable engines of growth,” she said.
“By bridging the gap between traditional journalism and digital media, Masoseco is now better equipped to provide timely, accurate, and professional information to the people of Sorsogon,” Gatinao added.
Masoseco, founded in 2023 as a media association, became a service cooperative focused on the welfare of Sorsogon media practitioners, emphasizing professional development, job security, and responsible journalism.
Source: PIA Bicol/Sorsogon