BFAR gives fisherfolk P11.5M supplies, aid

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is giving P11.5 million worth of supplies and materials for the fisherfolk in the fourth district of Cebu.

This is in support to the National Fisheries Program of the government and to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the fisherfolk by providing them trainings and livelihood assistance.

A Memorandum of Agreement was signed Friday by Representative Benhur Salimbangon and BFAR-7 Director Nilo Katada for the said undertaking.

Among the duties of BFAR is to provide skills training and technical services on the construction and operation of the project using recommended technology and coordinate with the Local Government Unit and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils regarding the identification of sites as well as the selection and organization of fisherfolk who will be the beneficiaries of the hands-on trainings.

The office of Salimbangon will also coordinate closely with concerned LGUs in the district and encourage participations and support during project implementation and encourage LGUs to designate a permanent coordinator to serve as contact person and in-charge of the detailed activities of the project which preferably should come from the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist; and among others.

The Municipality of Sta. Fe will get the biggest assistance in the amount of P4.4 million for the seaweeds processing and value-adding facilities, smoked-fish, fixed cage, drift gill net, seaweed solar dryers and farm implements, seaweed propagules, deep sea fish corral and fish pots.

The Municipality of Daanbantayan will get the second biggest assistance of more than P2 million for the six motorized fiberglass boats; drift gill nets, fish pot, one deep-sea fish corral and sets of longlines.

The Municipality of Medellin will get P1.5 million for 25 units of motorized fiberglass boat, seaweeds farm implements, seaweed propagules, seaweed processing and value-adding equipment, smoked-fish and drift gill net.

The City of Bogo will also get more than P1 million for 2 motorized fiberglass boats, though the target is 18 units; drift gill net, fish pot, five sets longline, provision of feeds and bottom set gill net.

Tabuelan will get P736,236 for 12 motorized fiberglass boats, fixed cage and fish pots; Bantayan will get P695,474 for set longline, fixed cage, seaweed implements, seaweed solar dryer and processing equipment.

Tabogon will get P400,000 for five motorized fiberglass boats, fixed cage and fish pots; San Remigio will get P359,880 for fixed cage, fish pots, squid jigger and longline, while Madridejos will get P199,625 for drift gill net, longlines, seaweed implements, seaweed solar dryer and processing equipment. (FREEMAN)