LIVELIHOOD AID. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) led by National Director Demosthenes Escoto (5th from left) and Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz (7th from left) distribute livelihood assistance to the fisherfolk in Dingalan, Aurora on Friday (Oct. 27, 2023). The beneficiaries, whose source of livelihood was adversely affected by Super Typhoon Karding last year, received a total of PHP20 million worth of assistance including boat repair materials, fishing gear and other paraphernalia. (Photo courtesy of BFAR-Central Luzon)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) on Friday provided much-needed assistance to the fisherfolk in Dingalan, Aurora whose source of livelihood was adversely affected by Super Typhoon Karding last year.
DA-BFAR National Director Demosthenes Escoto, together with DA-BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz, led the distribution of some PHP20 million worth of assistance that included boat repair materials, fishing gears and other paraphernalia.
“This move underscored the government's commitment to directly supporting those who have been adversely affected by natural disasters,” he said during the event.
Escoto said the DA-BFAR's effort to aid the local fisherfolk is also in line with the agency's mandate to promote sustainable fishing and marine resource management.
The DA-BFAR also awarded to the Dingalan Fishermen Cycle Association a 62-foot fiberglass reinforced plastic handline fishing boat worth some PHP5 million.
This is under the DA-BFAR’s capacitating municipal fisherfolk program which aims to boost the livelihood of the local fishers.
“This program aims to promote opportunities for our fisherfolk in order for them to yield profit in municipal waters. A bigger boat would mean longer distances to sail and a more abundant fish catch to bring home,” Escoto said.
Meanwhile, officials also broke ground on a milkfish fry holding facility in the town, a project under the DA-BFAR’s National Bangus Development Program (NBDP) that is expected to boost the industry in Dingalan.
Cruz, who is also the national focal person of the NBDP, cited the need for more milkfish fry due to the expansion of production areas not only in Central Luzon but also nationwide.
At present, he said the country is importing milkfish fry from Indonesia to meet the growing demand.
"Thus, we came out with this program and hopefully, by the next five years, we will have sufficient milkfish fry," he earlier said.
Dingalan Mayor Shierwin Taay thanked the DA-BFAR for the assistance to the fisherfolk.
"Ang pagsusumikap ng ating bayan at BFAR, kasama ang buong pwersa ng Municipal Agriculture Office ng Dingalan ay naipagkaloob ang mahahalagang kagamitan at pangkabuhayan ng ating mga mangingisda (The efforts of our municipality and BFAR, together with the entire force of the Municipal Agriculture Office of Dingalan have provided the essential equipment and livelihood to our fisherfolk),” Taay said in his message.
Domingo Panuelo Reyes, one of the fishermen who received boat repair materials including marine plywood, copper nails, marine epoxy and marine paints, said the assistance of the DA-BFAR will provide tremendous help in their livelihood.
The massive destruction brought by Karding, particularly to the coastal villages, placed Dingalan town under a state of calamity in September 2022.
Based on the report of the municipal government, around 473 fishing boats were damaged by the Super Typhoon with an estimated cost of PHP33.96 million. (PNA)
