ILOILO CITY -- The city government is mulling to extend an alternative livelihood to fisherfolk in the city as Mayor Jose Espinosa III on Monday underscored that the development of the highly-urbanized city must benefit everyone.
The mayor met with close to 80 fisherfolk and discussed how the city government could help them.
“One of the poorest sectors in our city is our fisherfolk. We still have 15 barangays (villages) whose residents are dependent on fishing,” he said.
Iloilo City has 180 barangays.
Espinosa said it is common knowledge that if they could not sail out to the sea to fish, fisherfolk have nothing to eat, especially this time of southwest monsoon or “hagabat”.
The city government, through its agriculturist office, plans to organize and give them livelihood training through the Technical Institute of Iloilo City.
“Since their wives are the one selling their fish catch, then probably they can engage in a carinderia (food stall),” he said.
He added that looking into their welfare is still part of the city government’s “Pag-ulikid” program. (PNA)
