Smooth sailing for Lucy’s boat project

ALBUERA, Leyte, Philippines – Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez’s fishing boat project received another boost with donations from Japanese shipping company Kawazaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (K-Line), through the Rayomar Foundation and the San Miguel Brewery (SMB).

Dubbed 6,200: Mission Possible, the project aims to provide fishing boats to each of the 6,200 fishermen in her congressional district whose livelihood was affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Gomez led the distribution of 102 boats in this coastal town in simple ceremonies held at its baywalk on Feb. 6.

Rayomar Foundation representatives led by its president Maria Ana Zubiri and vice president for project development Jacqueline Fedalizo attended the turnover ceremony.  K-Line donated 60 boats.

National business affairs and communications manager Emily Dumalag, who headed the SMB delegation, said they distributed the remaining 28 of the 100 boats that they donated.

The other boat donors were Carol Cabangon and Midy Cua, who gave two boats each; Jocelyn Chua; Manila Science Batch ’84; Del Monte Bone Smart; Jennifer Gobing; Iglesia Union; Darvida; Chicago; Phoenix Bld. and Ivory Grains.

Gomez has distributed close to 2,000 boats to fishermen in her district. In this town alone, she distributed almost 200.

The congresswoman expressed confidence  she could meet her target of 6,200 boats, even as she thanked all those who have supported the project.