TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur — For years, municipal fisher Diocris Pelisan had to think twice before heading out to sea. His aging pump boat could no longer safely reach productive fishing grounds, limiting both his catch and his family’s income. Today, that uncertainty has been replaced with renewed hope.

Pelisan was among the municipal fisherfolk who received a complete fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) boat with fishing gears from the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Caraga in a turnover ceremony on June 20, 2026. The assistance forms part of the agency’s continuing efforts to improve the productivity, safety, and resilience of small-scale fisherfolk.

“Dako gayud ang akong pasalamat nga nahimo kong benepisyaryo. Panagat ra gyud ang among panginabuhi. Sauna, maglisod ko ug adto sa layo tungod kay daan na akong bangka. Karon nga aduna na koy bag-ong FRP boat ug makina, makapangisda na gyud ko sa husto nga pangisdaanan nga adunay mas dakong paglaum sa mas maayong kita,” Felisan shared.

For fellow beneficiary Jonathan Singcol, the assistance fulfills a long-held dream. Before receiving the project, he relied on swimming to fish near the shoreline, limiting both the distance he could travel and the amount of fish he could catch. With his own boat, he can now reach productive fishing grounds more quickly, fish more efficiently, and provide better for his family.

Valued at Php 2 million, the project benefited 20 individual fisherfolk under the Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko Program.

To further diversify livelihood opportunities, DA-BFAR Caraga also turned over a Norwegian fish cage worth approximately Php 1.5 million to the Tandag City Bantay Dagat Association (TACIBADA) under the National Bangus Development Program (NBDP). Earlier this year, the Regional Office stocked the fish cage with 10,000 milkfish fingerlings and provided feeds, enabling the association to venture into aquaculture as an additional source of income.

Representing regional director Omnia B. Olama, Fisheries Production and Support Services Division chief Rizalinda L. Abing said the interventions go beyond providing equipment—they are investments in increasing fish production, strengthening livelihoods, and improving the welfare of fishing communities.

Chief Abing explained that the FRP boats, funded through the Office of First District Representative Romeo S. Momo Sr., were built through hands-on boat-building training under the Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko Program, ensuring they are durable, locally appropriate, and responsive to the needs of municipal fisherfolk. She likewise encouraged beneficiaries to maximize the projects by exploring value-adding and other income-generating opportunities.

Tandag City agriculturist Von C. Falcon thanked DA-BFAR and the city government for continuously bringing fisheries projects to local communities, noting that the city has consistently received livelihood support for municipal fisherfolk.

Meanwhile, Tandag City mayor Roxanne C. Pimentel urged beneficiaries to sustain the projects entrusted to them. Mayor Pimentel also underscored the city’s vast marine waters as an opportunity to expand aquaculture production, including milkfish, grouper, pompano, and lobster, while encouraging fisherfolk to take pride in their profession.

“Being a fisher is something to be proud of. These projects are not merely assistance, they are opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods for your families and future generations,” the mayor said.

Representative Romeo S. Momo Sr. likewise underscored his vision of transforming Surigao del Sur into a major producer of milkfish and value-added fisheries products.

Drawing inspiration from successful Norwegian fish cage projects in the province, Momo emphasized that increased production, coupled with processing and marketing support, could create more jobs and strengthen the local fisheries economy. He also added that plans are underway to further expand fish cage production, establish value-adding facilities, improve access infrastructure, and strengthen partnerships with agencies such as TESDA to train fisherfolk families in fish processing and entrepreneurship.

For beneficiaries like Pelisan and Singcol, however, the impact of the projects is already tangible.

With safer boats, improved fishing equipment, and new opportunities in aquaculture, they can now fish farther, harvest more, and build more secure livelihoods for their families.# (Andy T. Ordoña, Information Officer, DA-BFAR Caraga)