CEBU, Philippines — Fisherfolks in Central Visayas have found new ways to earn a living, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic - online selling and peddling of their catch.
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 Regional Director Allan Poquita said that fisherfolks have resorted to these methods of selling due to some restrictions imposed in the movement of goods and people, as places were put under strict community quarantine.
Provincial fishery officers in Central Visayas, who joined Poquita in an online talk show of a government agency, shared the same observation and expressed happiness that fisherfolks ventured into this kind of enterprise that still catered to the people’s needs.
BFAR-Cebu Head Edgardo Delfin said they have been encouraging people to explore the income opportunities in fish selling, especially at a time when many livelihoods have been lost during the crisis.
BFAR-Bohol Provincial Fishery Officer Candido Samijon, for his part, said they have recorded more than 1,000 people who have been peddling fish products in Tagbilaran City and other areas.
Samijon added that the number of people selling fish online is also increasing in the province.
Meanwhile, BFAR-7 plans to increase fish production in Central Visayas through the provision of fingerlings and technical assistance to small-scale fisherfolks and fisherfolk organizations.
The move is in response to the call of Department of Agriculture Secretary William Dar to refocus the agency’s programs in order to respond immediately to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the fishery sector.
To ensure the fishery sector’s sustained contribution in the government’s food security program, BFAR has also stepped up its regular price monitoring, fishing boats distribution and constant dialogue with fisherfolk groups.
BFAR-7 added that Central Visayas has more than 100,000 registered fishermen. — GAN (FREEMAN)