by Christine Lyn G. Viajante
TALISAYAN, Misamis Oriental (Jan. 16) – Towards reviving the livelihoods of shear line-affected fisherfolk in the province, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (BFAR-10) distributed 383 units of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats and fishing paraphernalia here, today.
Beneficiaries from Gingoog City and the municipalities of Talisayan, Magsaysay, and Medina, each received a 27-footer FRP boat that they themselves constructed and modeled from the trainings implemented under the F/B Pagbabago βBangka ko, Gawa koβ Livelihood and Development Program.
Each unit is complete with a 16-horsepower marine engine, fishing paraphernalia, and protective gear, providing the fisherfolk with enhanced tools and ensuring that the affected communities have the necessary resources to recover and thrive.
Misami Oriental 1st Congressional District Representative Christian S Unabia thanked the bureau for the βBangka ko, Gawa koβ initiative which gave the beneficiaries additional skills in boat craftsmanship and inculcated value and meaningfulness of the efforts they poured to complete their vessels.
βNadunggan nako nga inyuha gβyud ning (project) gipaningkamutan. Kabalo ko nyuha ning ampingan kay naa moβy gihaguan ani nga bangka kumpara sa uban βgrantβ nga gihatag sa inyo. Inyuhang mga singot, inyong sakripisyo naa ani,β Unabia underscored.
[Iβve heard that youβve all worked hard for this (project). I know that you will all take good care of these because youβve tirelessly worked for this boat compared to other grants given to you. Your sweat, your sacrifices were poured into this.]The project valued at PhP 26.8 million aimed to uplift the local fishing communities in Misamis Oriental devastated by harsh weather conditions on Christmas Eve in 2022, which destroyed hundreds of fishing vessels in the region.
Gingoog City received the largest allocation with 280 units, followed by Talisayan with 79 units, Magsaysay with 21 units, and Medina with 3 units.
BFAR-10 Director Edward B Yasay wished the recipients of the projects a bountiful catch. Further, he encouraged them to follow fishery laws and ordinances to ensure the sustainability of the industry.
βHangyo lang sa among buhatan nga makigihi-usa kamo sa atong local nga pangagamhanan ug mga law enforcement agencies sa pag-amping ug pag-amuma sa mga bahandi sa atung kadagatan,β Yasay emphasized.
[Our only request is for all of you to unite with your local government and law enforcement in caring for and uplifting the resources of our sea.]The director also highlighted the hands-on collaboration of Misamis Oriental Governor Peter M Unabia, who actively facilitated the fast-tracking of the implementation of the said project during its proposal stage at the national scene.
Furthermore, Talisayan Fisherfolk Federated President, Lito M Simene expressed profound gratitude to the bureau.
“Dako kaayung namong pasalamat sa BFAR kay kini nga klase sa panagat karon kay talagsaon ra gβyud ni. Usa kami sa mga swerteng nakadawat niini mao nang sangko sa langit ang among kalipay,β Simene shared.
[A big thank you to BFAR because of this once-in-a-lifetime catch. Weβre one of the lucky fishers who received this thatβs why our happiness is immeasurable]. (CLViajante//BFAR10)
