Members of fisherfolk associations from three provinces in the Bicol region were recipients of almost PHP3 million worth of fishing gears and paraphernalia from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
In an interview on Thursday, Rowena Briones, officer-in-charge (OIC) of the BFAR-5 information unit, said the assistance given to a total of 201 fishermen early this week was funded under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Phase II program.
“The recipients were members of five fisherfolk associations from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Masbate. BFAR awarded the aid in separate distribution activities this month. This is the government’s continuous initiative to boost local fish production,” Briones said.
Thirty sets of seaweed farm inputs worth PHP418,950 were awarded as livelihood support to 28 members of the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Magcaraguit from Dimasalang town in Masbate province.
In Camarines Norte, a total of PHP1.8 million worth of assistance was given to three organizations– the Pamalakayang Asosasyon ng Capalonga, which received 141 sets of multiple longlines; Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Sta. Elena, 49 sets of bottom set gillnets; and the Samahan ng Umaasang Biyaya ng Dagat of Mercedes, 42 sets of bottom set gillnets.
In Camarines Sur, 35 seaweed farm inputs worth PHP488,775 were delivered to the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Penitan in Siruma town.
Briones said the assistance aims to uplift the beneficiaries’ living conditions above the poverty line by providing them access to economic opportunities.
“These inputs will improve food production in their respective communities. We also assist our fisherfolk in establishing community-based fishery enterprises,” she said.
Capalonga Mayor Luz Ricasio expressed confidence that the beneficiaries will value the government assistance they received.
“Seeing the fisherfolk association’s unity and knowing their objectives and aspirations, I am positive this project will prosper and succeed with the help of the municipal agriculture office and in close collaboration with BFAR as our partner,” she said in a message during the awarding ceremony.
Briones said the remaining PHP35 million of the SAAD Phase II program will be distributed to 35 local government units with accredited fisherfolk associations.
“Some are already in the process, some are already on bidding. Distribution of fishing inputs is a continuous project of BFAR,” she said. (PNA)
