At least 12 fisherfolk cooperatives in the province of Surigao del Norte received 30-footer motorized, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) fishing boats and fishing gears worth Php 1.2 million from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at the Provincial Capital Kiosk, Surigao City.
Regional Director Omnia B. Olama, together with Provincial Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers, led the distribution of the FRP boats to the Surigaonon fisherfolk beneficiaries.
RD Olama noted that the province of Surigao del Norte has always been one of the top performing provinces in the region in terms of fisheries production.
“In 2022, the PSA reported that the annual volume of fisheries production in the province was recorded at approximately 15,987.17 metric tonnes with most contribution coming from the municipal fisheries sector, and contributing approximately 28% to the overall fisheries production in Caraga region,” RD Olama said.“I hope that with the distribution of these FRP boats, this will help increase the fish production in the province,” the regional director added. “Always remember that fishing is a noble profession: it provides us our daily food and livelihood. In return, we should also help our resources to regenerate more than we fish. That being said, I have high hopes that Surigaonons will help BFAR in our quest to achieve “malinis at masaganang karagatan,” RD Olama concluded.
Provincial Governor Robert Lyndon S. Barbers also expressed his support to the fisherfolk cooperatives and assured the sector that the provincial government will continue to stretch their efforts for the betterment of all Surigaonons.
Under its quick response fund, the DA-BFAR Caraga, in coordination with the Surigao del Norte provincial government, is working closely on the completion of the additional 85 FRP fishing boats to be distributed in the province. (Andy T. Ordoña, Information Officer, DA-BFAR Caraga RFIU)
