The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3) provided fishing equipment to some 205 fisherfolk in the province that could help ensure sustainable income and increased fish production.
BFAR-Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Tuesday the beneficiaries of the PHP800,000 worth of fishing tools came from the coastal towns of Lubao and Sasmuan.
He said the grant was in response to the request of the provincial government for assistance to residents of areas where fishing is the major source of livelihood.
“As a commitment ng ating bureau sa strengthened coordination and cooperation with the local government units. Upon assessment, kailangan na ito ng mga mangingisda para sa kanilang kabuhayan. Kaya binigyan ng action agad (As a commitment of our bureau in the strengthened coordination and cooperation with the local government units. Upon assessment, this is really needed by the fisherfolk for their livelihood. Thus, immediate action was made),” he said in a news program interview.
Each fisherman received a set of gillnets.
The BFAR also gave two sets of fish vending equipment that could help prolong the shelf life of fish and other seafood.
Aside from fishing equipment, the BFAR also awarded five motorized 32-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic boats (FRPB) to fisherfolk families.
“Hopefully makatulong ito ng malaki. Pero bukod sana sa mapakinabangan ay ating ingatan ang mga kagamitang ipinamamahagi ng gobyerno para palaging dekalidad ang mga produktong ating pinagkukunan natin ng hanap-buhay (Hopefully, this could help a lot. Let us take care the equipment being distributed by the government for high-quality products that are source of our livelihood)” Cruz said.
Vice Governor Lilia Pineda thanked BFAR for the assistance.
She said another 40 32-footer FRPBs and a 62-footer FRPB will be awarded to the fisherfolk.
Marcelino Espares, one of the beneficiaries, thanked BFAR and the provincial government for the timely assistance.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa kanila, Mahalaga dahil dyan ko pinagkukunan ang lahat para sa pangangailangan (I am thankful to them. It is important because it is source for our needs),” Espares said. (PNA)
