The Metro La Paz Fisherfolk Association in this city on Wednesday received fish aggregating devices, fishing gears, and fishery inputs worth PHP1.2 million from a private contractor.

He Sha Prime Sand and Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc., the contractor tasked to restore the natural flow of the heavily-silted Padsan River, handed out the livelihood aid as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).

“On behalf of the 356 members of the fisherfolk association, we thank He Sha for donating the amount. We hope this will continue and expedite the dredging activity for the good of all,” Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said in a short speech during the distribution in Barangay 33-A La Paz here on Wednesday afternoon.

The company is currently dredging Padsan River upstream from its mouth in Metro Gabu, or a distance of more than five kilometers. The river – the longest in Ilocos Norte – runs through this city, and the towns of Dingras, Sarrat, and San Nicolas.

Villagers affected by the dredging project, such as those who derive their livelihood from fishing and gathering freshwater shells, received cash assistance last year.

Local fishermen are hoping that in the long run, they will get the most benefit from the project as assured by Manotoc and the dredging contractor.

Under the revenue-sharing agreement, 40 percent of extraction fee by the contractor will go to the host barangays while the city and provincial governments will receive a share of 30 percent each.

There are 15 barangays that are expected to benefit from the large-scale project.

The exclusive permit granted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the first phase of the project started on Dec. 15, 2022 and will end on Dec. 14 this year. (PNA)