The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Luzon (BFAR-3) on Wednesday turned over some PHP1.9 million worth of equipment to fisherfolk in Bulacan.
BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Thursday the move is part of the bureau’s continuing efforts to uplift the lives of the marginalized fishermen.
“This program is consistent with the bureau’s mission to alleviate the lives of fishermen and acquire food security in the country,” he said in social media post.
Cruz said the provisions include gill nets, multi-filament nets, marine engines, fish vending equipment with accessories, among others.
The beneficiaries are fishermen from the towns of Paombong, Hagonoy, Bulakan, Obando, Marilao, Norzagaray, San Ildefonso, Bocaue and the cities of Meycauayan and Malolos.
Aside from fishing equipment, BFAR likewise awarded 12 fiberglass reinforced plastic boats (FRPB) to the fisherfolk of Paombong and Obando on December 17.
The 25-footer FRPBs were funded under the bureau’s F/B Pagbabago program that aims to uplift the economic status of the fishermen through the provision of disaster-resilient fishing boats.
The boats are powered with a 10-horsepower (HP) marine engine with a set of underwater fittings.
To boost the fish production in Bulacan, BFAR earlier distributed some 540,000 tilapia and 100,000 bangus fingerlings to fish farmers in Angat, Norzagaray, Pandi, San Miguel, and San Ildefonso.
“This intervention is expected to generate an increase in harvest early next year to support food supply and boost fish production in the province,” Cruz said.
Source: Philippines News Agency