by Miriam G. Desacada
CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos (PBBM) on Friday (July 14) distributed fisheries livelihood equipment, boats, and assorted items—worth a total of P12.6 million—to fishermen of Northern Samar.
In a ceremony at the Capitol in the capital town of Catarman, the president handed out the fishing items to 16 fisherfolk associations and 25 identified fisherfolk beneficiaries from different coastal towns of the province.
Marcos said the distribution of provisions for fisheries livelihood was aimed at uplifting the local fisherfolk communities by harnessing the vast and diverse fisheries resources in Eastern Visayas, particularly in Northern Samar.
The distributed items were 16 deep-sea fish aggregating device (FAD) or payao, three modules (four cages per module) of HDPE cage, 150 sets of seaweed farm implements, and 20 units of 30-footer fiberglass boat complete with accessories and engine.
In addition, Marcos also gave out fingerlings and feeds for tilapia production in ponds, mangrove crablets and formulated feeds.
The president, who wanted to improve and sustain the fishery industry in Northern Samar, urged the beneficiaries and provincial officials to enrich fish nursery grounds and production areas to attain fish sufficiency and empower fishing communities in the provice.
With a well-developed fishing industry, there is no need to import fishery commodities and other items, Marcos added.
Acting in adjunct to the presidential program, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Region 8, through its Provincial Fishery Office (PFO)-Northern Samar, said it is implementing a multitude of fisheries development and conservation programs in collaboration with coastal towns that would diversify income sources and create more opportunities for the fishing sector to grow and prosper. —Miriam G. Desacada