Talisay City fisherfolk get motor bancas from BFAR

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Visayas has donated at least 20 fiberglass pump boats with complete set of fishing nets to the Talisay fisherfolk federation.

BFAR-7 Director Alan Poquita said that the members of the fisherfolk organizations in Talisay were chosen as beneficiaries this year. The beneficiaries were selected through the local government unit.

He said the agency had been donating pump boats to fishermen all over the region in the past years.

These 20 pump boats that were made of fiberglass with master marine engines and fishnet cost more than P30,000 each.

“Fiberglass atoang gipanghatag kay dili mi gusto nga ang mga kahoy sad ang gamiton, environment friendly," he said.

Poquita said that BFAR has allocated almost P100 million this year for the project. He said they will continue to monitor the beneficiaries if the pump boats were properly utilized.

Alfreda Cabusas, president of Talisay fisherfolk federation, said the beneficiaries were active members of their organization. She said there are at least 10 organizations under the federation. Each organization will receive at least one pump boat.

“After mahatag, among gi-awhag ang tanang president nga ipasabot sa mga member it’s for everybody ug ang tanan makagamit, maybe maghimo og agreement,” she said.

Jorich Tagulada, one of the beneficiaries, said he is very happy because it would be his first time to use an engine-powered fishing boat.

“Dako among pasalamat nga natabangan mi unya mahatagan mi ug butang nga mapasayon ang among panginabuhian. Sa una pwerte gyud paita pero karon nga naa na ang pump boats nakuhaan ang kahago namo,” he said.

He said that for more than 20 years he had been using paddled fishing boats.

The distribution was witnessed by Senator Sonny Angara, First District Representative Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas. (FREEMAN)