“Bugsay, bugsay na! Lajag, lajag pa!”
This was the chant of the project beneficiaries from San Benito Fisherfolk Cooperative (SABEFICO) as they formally received their one (1) unit 62-footer fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) handline fishing boat along with its support boats and fishing gears, in a ceremony held last Friday, August 2, 2024 in San Benito, Surigao del Norte.
Surigao del Norte provincial fishery officer Bimbo C. Lagare, in his message, urged the fisherfolk beneficiaries to religiously comply with the project requirements particularly on fish catch reporting.
“This is the first-ever 62-footer FRP fishing vessel being distributed here in Surigao del Norte. As your PFO in the province, it is with great joy to see you receive this kind of assistance from the government. I hope that we will continue to work together to provide more projects for the Surigaonon fisherfolks,” PFO Lagare added.
Meanwhile, regional director Omnia B. Olama, who personally handed over the upgraded fishing vessel to the project beneficiary, encouraged the fishers to use to newly acquired fishing boat in proper and legal way. The good regional director also urged the cooperative to help one another to sustain the project for the next generations.
“I hope that we will continue to foster collaboration for the benefit of our fisherfolk and for our fisheries and aquatic resources,” RD Olama added.
San Benito mayor Ma. Gina Sumando-Menil and other key officials from the local government unit also witnessed the awarding of the Php 7-million livelihood project to the municipal fisherfolks.
Mayor Menil lauded the DA-BFAR for its continuous support and dedication in helping the fishing communities, and expressed optimism that the upgraded fishing vessels will surely provide economic benefits for the fisherfolk.
San Benito is a 6th class municipality in the province of Surigao del Norte, Philippines, with a poverty incidence of 30.83% as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (2021).
With the fishing vessel’s 13-GT capacity, Rolly M. Templado, SABEFICO chairperson, thanked the DA-BFAR and LGU San Benito for the opportunity which offers them to venture out offshore fishing – particularly handline tuna fishing.
The turnover was formalized through the execution of the memorandum of agreement between DA-BFAR, LGU, and the recipient fisherfolk cooperative.
Funded under the DA-BFAR’s Capacitating Municipal Fisherfolk Program, the project is expected to contribute to fisheries production of about 40 metric tonnes annually, to contribute to the country’s fish supply or food sufficiency program, and to improve the socio-economic conditions of the coastal fishing communities. (Andy T. Ordoña, Information Officer, DA-BFAR Caraga)