Fisherfolk to get livelihood aid, trainings from BFAR-7

CEBU, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 recently forged an agreement with Cebu Second District Representative Wilfredo Caminero for the provision of livelihood assistance and trainings to fishermen in southern Cebu.

BFAR- 7 Director Alfeo Piloton and Caminero signed the memorandum of agreement last Friday at the latter’s farmhouse in Alcoy.

Piloton said BFAR-7 has earmarked more than P500,000 for the procurement of fishing materials and supplies to distributed to the fisherfolk in the towns of Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Samboan, and Santander.

Piloton, in a statement, said that the agency recognizes the need to promote food security by increasing fish production through the transfer of fisheries technology and training to fisherfolk as direct participants in the proper management of the marine resources.

“In support to the National Fisheries Program of the government, BFAR Region 7 has assessed and identified the need to provide training and livelihood assistance to fisherfolk in the Second District of Cebu,” he said.

Under the agreement, BFAR-Region 7 will provide to the seven municipalities the fishing materials or boats amounting to P585,262 to further uplift the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen. In Argao, BFAR-7 is giving out two units of drift gillnet amounting to P44,140.

Dalaguete is set to get 2,700 kilograms of seaweed seedlings worth P40,500. In Alcoy, BFAR-7 is distributing six units of set longline worth P37,980.

BFAR 7 will also be turning over two units each of motorized fiberglass boats to the municipalities of Boljoon, Oslob and Samboan. Each boat costs P55,037.

Samboan and Santander will also receive three units of drift gillnet amounting to P22,070.

These municipalities earlier sought the assistance of BFAR-7 for livelihood support to the fishermen in the coastal communities.

BFAR-7 will also provide skills training and technical services on the construction and operation of these projects.  BFAR-7 will supervise in the construction using recommended technology.

The agency will coordinate with the local government units and their respective Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils on the identification of sites as well as the selection and organization of fisherfolk that will benefit the training.

To further improve the daily income of the fisherfolk beneficiaries, BFAR-7 will also develop marketing strategies that will help fishermen sell better their products.

The regional agency assured to provide technical support to the fisherfolk and cooperators to ensure the success and viability of the project. It will also continue to monitor the operation and status of the project in coordination with the LGUs concerned.

The beneficiaries are required to submit monthly status report of the project to the BFAR-7 and the LGUs. Failure to sustain the operation and maintenance of the project will give the BFAR-7 the authority to repossess the project and terminate the right of the beneficiary to operate it. (FREEMAN)