An all-female civic organization in Albay donated fishing boats to 15 families in San Miguel Island, Tabaco City as part of its efforts to help rebuild communities affected by disasters and the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic through sustainable solutions.

Leah Jaucian Buenaventura, president of JCI Legazpi Dawani, on Thursday said the donation given over the weekend was under their “Project Layag: Boats of Hope” that intends to help families rebuild their livelihood through the provision of fishing boats and equipment as well as personal protective supplies against Covid-19.

“The family-beneficiaries are among those residents whose livelihood was severely affected by Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses last year and affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Buenaventura said in an interview.

Project Layag is an offshoot of the fund drive “Tindog Bicol” in November and December 2020, under the JCI Philippines Oplan Kaagapay umbrella program.

Buenaventura said JCI Legazpi Dawani worked with other organizations and individual donors to generate funds for the project, including UrganoNZ, a group of New Zealand-based Bicolanos; Mayon Photography Club; and Costa Fishing Supplies. They also partnered with the Philippine Coast Guard, San Miguel Barangay Council, and JCI Tabaco.

“Project Layag: Boats of Hope underscores the need for collaboration among different sectors to help future proof the most vulnerable communities while navigating the new normal with the existing pandemic,” she said.

The project will serve as a testament to the importance of unity and cooperation in moving forward after the disasters, she said.

Buenaventura also said the family-beneficiaries planted bamboo and a pili tree following the turnover ceremonies as stipulated in the memorandum of agreement between them and JCI Legazpi Dawani. (PNA)