The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Bicol (BFAR-5) has distributed 25 fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats to fisherfolk of Camarines Sur.
BFAR-5 spokesperson Nonie Enolva said on Wednesday the move aims to improve the fisherfolk’s socio-economic status through the provision of fishing boats and gears and contribute to the fisheries production of the province of Camarines Sur.
“During the distribution early this week (Monday), the 50 fisherfolk-beneficiaries in Camarines Sur were legitimate registered members of Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA),” Enolva said in an interview.
She said the 25 units of FRP boats with complete accessories and marine engines and 22 sets of fishing gears are part of the Fishing Boat (FB) Pagbabago Livelihood and Development Program under the regular fund of the agency.
“With these, we hope that after availing the boats, the quality of life of each fisherfolk-beneficiaries may be uplifted,” she said.
Enolva said that for 2022, some 77 out of the 95 FRPs with complete accessories and engines were already distributed in the entire region.
Fisherman Daniel Milante, from San Lucas, Calabanga, Camarines Sur thanked BFAR Bicol for the opportunity to own an FRP boat.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa BFAR sa tinaong baruto ta makakatabang po ini sa pagpapaklase ko kan sakuyang mga aki. May magagamit na po ako sa pang aro-aldaw na pag hanapbuhay (Thank you BFAR for the boat, this will help me in sustaining the needs of my children. I can use this in my daily work as a fisherman),” he said.
In total, a complete set of one FRP boat, including accessories and marine engines, costs PHP62,500. (PNA)
