Fishermen belonging to four organizations from the different barangays in the town of Barobo, Surigao del Sur have received a total of 18 units of fish and seaweed solar dryers worth more than PHP5.6 million.

The solar dryers, considered as support facilities for the organizations, were handed over by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Caraga (BFAR-13) during the turnover activity in Barobo on Wednesday.

BFAR-13 OIC-director Nilo Selim Katada handed over the solar dryers to Barobo Mayor Joey Pama and the leaders of the four organizations.

Loryjoi Calising, BFAR-13 area coordinator, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday that more than 100 fishermen and their families who are members of the four organizations will directly benefit from the solar dryers.

“Five units of solar dyers worth PHP1.7 million were given to the Rizal Community-based Resource Management People’s Organization while another 11 units all worth PHP3.4 million were handed over to Kinayam Community-based Resource Management People’s Organization,” Calising said.

She added that the Rural Improvement Club of Barangay Dapdap also received one solar dryer worth PHP225,000 and the Talisay Small Fishermen Association also received one unit worth PHP398,000.

The solar dyers, she said, were part of the Fisheries, Coastal Resources and Livelihood Projects of BFAR-13.

“With these dryers, our fisherfolk in Barobo can now process their harvested seaweeds through drying. Dried seaweeds are sold at higher prices in markets compared to fresh,” Calising said.

She added that the fishermen would earn higher income from dried fish which is sold at a higher price in markets than fresh fish. (PNA)