In an effort to increase the fishery production of the province and support the livelihood activities of fishing communities in Siargao Islands, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR)-Caraga distributed 15 units of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats with accessories to the fisherfolk beneficiaries in a turn-over ceremony held on June 30, 2023, at Brgy. Jaboy, Pilar, Surigao del Norte.

Surigao del Norte provincial fishery officer Felixberto M. Tanduyan, together with regional focal for F/B Pagbabago Resituto Bautista, municipal mayor Atty. Maria Liza G. Ressurection, committee on agriculture vice-chair Felicidad E. Buo and OIC-municipal agriculturist Janine E. Enhaynes led the distribution of the 30-footer FRP boats, approximately worth PHP1.29 million.

PFO Tanduyan, who represented Regional Director Omnia B. Olama, extended his hopes that the newly distributed FRP boats will offer access to sustainable fishery resources, urging the fisherfolk beneficiaries to refrain from engaging in unlawful fishing activities.

“This is the initial phase of your additional livelihood as fisherfolk, which will enable you to maximize your catch and provide further income to your families. I sincerely hope that each of you will be on the lookout to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing to help safeguard our marine waters here in Siargao Islands,” PFO Tanduyan said.

Thirty fisherfolk benefited from the FRP boat distribution, with two fishermen beneficiaries in one boat, along with the initiative of the local government of Pilar that many families will benefit from the program. With this, PFO Tanduyan also stressed before the recipients that they must take care of the boats and operate them honorably and agreeably with their partners.

Mayor Resurrection congratulated the fisherfolk for completing the “Banka Ko, Gawa Ko” training on the fabrication, repair, and maintenance of the FRP boats. She also expressed her gratitude for the fishing sector’s assistance and cooperation in realizing the project and reaffirmed PFO Tanduyan’s call for responsible use of the FRP boats.

Additionally, 13 units of FRP boats were recently awarded to the Siargaonon fisherfolk last Monday, July 3, 2023 in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

The said initiative aims to provide durable and climate-smart FRP boats to local fisherfolk to increase fish production and improve the standard of living for their families. (Sheen Chic Zenith T. Perral, IEC assistant, DA-BFAR Caraga)

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