Fishermen receive bancas

CEBU, Philippines - In line with the rehabilitation efforts for the victims of typhoon Yolanda, private sectors turned over 20 motorized bancas to fisherfolks in northern Cebu on Saturday.

Jose Bimbo Pelayo, 43, of Maravilla in the town of Tabuelan was very happy to receive one of the bancas donated by The FREEMAN through San Miguel Corporation.

"Mapasalamaton kaayo ko sa mga tao nga nitabang nako kay pwerteng lisura sa among kinabuhi," a teary-eyed Pelayo said, adding that he will take good care of the banca.

He said his non-motorized banca was destroyed during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda last November 8.

"Pagkahuman sa bagyo, sige na lang ko’g panghuwam sa akong mga kauban og banca para naa mi'y makaon sa akong pamilya," he said.

With his new boat, Pelayo said it would be now easy for him to make a living for his family.

The 20 motorized bancas were donated by different private sectors that responded to the advocacy of couple Clayton Tugunon and Georgina Tugunon, who own a furniture maker company in Cebu.

The couple, who are from San Remigio town, started their advocacy after realizing that many fisherfolks became helpless after the supertyphoon hit the towns in the northern part of Cebu.

"We saw the need of the fishermen nga nawad-an gyod og paglaum sa ilang panginabuhi after Yolanda," Georgina said.

"Nagsugod mi sa usa ka banca nga among nahimo, then gi-post sa akong husband ang situation sa northern Cebu and we're glad many companies have responded para makatabang sa mga fishermen," she added.

Georgina said she carefully screened all the possible beneficiaries.

"Amo gyud tan-awon ang ilang status sa kinabuhi, kun pila ang anak, unsay trabaho, and others para makaila pud ko nila," she said.

According to her, the beneficiaries were made to sign a contract upon receiving the bancas.

"Naa pud ta'y conditions like, motabang na sila sa Bantay Dagat pagpanakop sa mga mogamit og dinamita, ug every month makalabay sila og stones nga parehas kadako sa ilang head as artificial reefs under water," she said.

"Ato ning gibuhat para naa pud sila'y participation sa pag-protect sa atong dagat while nanginabuhi sila," she added.

The companies behind the donations last Saturday were The Freeman, San Miguel Corporation, Hope and Love from Japan, Loumari Mediatrix, and Bright Man Business Solutions, among others.

Georgina said her family has been able to produce a total of 328 bancas donated by different companies and individuals, which have already been distributed to other northern towns devastated by the typhoon.

Clayton said there are still a lot of fisherfolks who are in dire need of bancas and his family will not stop helping, as long as there are still private companies willing to help them in their advocacy.  (FREEMAN)