BFAR building boats for typhoon-hit fishers

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional offices across all regions have joined forces to make a rehabilitation initiative to help the fisherfolks who were affected by typhoon Yolanda.

The three-month initiative, called "AHON- 10,000 bangkang mula sa iyo, 20,000 pamilyang mangingisda ang maiaahon mo" began last November 8 to help the affected fisherfolks.

Materials and motor engines for the construction of fishing boats will be transported through the Butuan Wharf. Supplies pick-up points will be passed through the motor vessels or vehicles going to the BFAR Centers in Tacloban, Guian, Tanauan or Dulog and Carmen, Cebu.

Gil Arcenal, one of the fisherfolks who lives in Barangay Talisay, Daanbantayan town, Cebu, said that they will really be happy if the assistance promised by BFAR will be successfully given to them.

"Kun moabot gyod kining mga gipangsaad nila, ikalipay gyod ta ni ilabi na natong mga kabus. Hurot-hurot gyod tawn didto ang mga pump boat ug mga baruto. (If their promises will really be given to us, we will really be happy; especially us who are truly in need. Almost all of the fishing vessels vanished because of the recent catastrophe)".

BFAR has already earmarked resources for the initial 3,000 fishing boats and 350 shallow-water payaws.

With the help of all interested individuals, public and private entities, local and foreign groups, the bureau believes that the remaining 7,000 fishing boats will be achieved in their three-month campaign period.

BFAR Region 7 Assistant Director Dr. Allan Poquita expressed his positive reaction for the prosperity of their initiative.

"Talagang nakakatulong 'to because the main gamit, the main equipment of the fisherfolks is bangka (This is really a great help because the main equipment of the fisher folks is bangka.)

Fishing boats with a motor engine cost around P15,000 and only P6,000 without a motor engine.

The BFAR centers will be the venue for building the fishing boats. The boat construction may be built either by the fisherfolk beneficiaries or the pooled workers of a local government unit or the BFAR volunteers.

BFAR is not accepting cash donations, but in kind. For those who will donate cash, there will be non-profit organizations in Cebu City and Butuan City to accept their donations. These non-profit organizations will be the ones to buy the materials for the construction of the fishing boats.

The distribution of the fishing boats for the beneficiaries will be on first come-first serve basis. Meaning, those who will be able to build a fishing boat will be the first one to be given a motor engine.

Their target beneficiaries for this initiative rehabilitation are those severely hit areas by the typhoon Yolanda in Regions 6, 7, 8 and 4B.

There are an estimated 146,000 fisherfolks affected by typhoon Yolanda. (FREEMAN)