For Alternative Livelihood Aid to fishermen who join fight vs. illegal fishing

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol’s all-out war against illegal fishing is expected to displace fishermen who use illegal means to catch fish, but Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said the province is willing to extend financial assistance for alternative livelihood.

“We shall endeavor to provide alternative livelihood,” Garcia told reporters yesterday.

The concern was raised by Mayor Christopher Escario of Bantayan whose constituents are solely dependent on fishing as a means to earn income.

Garcia told Escario that the town can depend on the provincial government for support if necessary.

Last Saturday, Garcia met with the governors of Negros Occidental, Masbate and Iloilo in Sagay City to discuss unified efforts to protect the Visayan Sea.

There, she learned that the city government of Sagay is providing alternative livelihood to fishermen so they no longer engage in illegal fishing.

Garcia said she will coordinate with the mayors of cities and towns under the province to determine the most applicable alternative livelihood for their residents and to identify possible beneficiaries.

Garcia said the all-out war against illegal fishing does not only center on arrests of violators, but also aimed at educating fishermen using dynamites, cyanide and even supplier of ammonium nitrate to protect the seas.

“But those that refuse to understand, naang balaud, kalabuso, ipapriso,” she said.

Garcia will also meet commercial fishers and dealers of explosives “to make them understand that we are not after you per see, but we will after you once you breach the law, we will run after you.”

“Let’s not complicate our lives, lets just follow the law,” Garcia said.

Garcia also announced that she will continue giving rewards to Bantay Dagat Teams who can apprehend illegal fishers after the rewards she gave to the Carcar Bantay Dagat Team.

“I am calling all towns, all cities, all Bantay Dagat teams, be more vigilant, the governor is behind you. I have created the anti-illegal fishing task force. We have the support of the multi-agency task force,” Garcia said. (FREEMAN)