TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - While most Filipinos voiced their complains on the abrupt increase of fuel price in the country, fisherfolk were not spared of the problem. Nevertheless, the government has provided 6.5 million pesos fuel subsidy for the Cagayan Valley Region’s fisherfolk, the regional Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR-2) here said.
As part of the process, like farmer beneficiaries, their names too must be listed in the Fisherfolk Registry (FishR), which is a masterlist of individuals who are engaged in the fishing industry and serves as the government’s reference in providing projects, services and other assistance.
A total of 2,194 fisherfolk identified by the BFAR received their P3,000 share. Of the said number, 1,181 are from Cagayan, 86 from Batanes, 216 from Isabela, and seven from Quirino.
On the other hand, BFAR-2 Regional Director Angel Encarnacion said that they have other programs that aim to help fisherfolk acquire good catch and continuous market amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, the BFAR continues to provide free fingerlings, fishing paraphernalia, fishing boats and technical assistance to beneficiaries.
This is apart from assisting fisherfolk in bringing their products to the market through the Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita outlets in the different parts of the region. Under this project, the BFAR hauls the products of different fisherfolk organizations and transports them to different Kadiwa outlets.
Encarnacion assured the BFAR's stakeholders that they will continue to provide the necessary assistance they need be in aquaculture, commercial fisheries, and post-harvest among others. (JCK/GVB/PIA Cagayan)
