To help Yolanda affected aqua farmers: Capitol to get P33M BFAR aid

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has granted a P33 million technical and financial aid to the Province of Cebu for the rehabilitation of seaweed and aquafarms damaged by typhoon Yolanda.

The Provincial Board yesterday held a special session to approve the resolution authorizing Governor Hilario Davide III to enter into and sign a memorandum of agreement with BFAR.

The resolution was sponsored by Board Members Jude Thaddeus Durano Sybico and Peter John Calderon.

The MOA will be signed by BFAR National Director Asis Perez and Davide.

The granting of the aid is under BFAR’s Seaweed and Aquafarm Rehabilitation and Development Program, which assists local government units in rehabilitating the aquaculture industry and enhance the livelihood of fish farmers.

Under the draft memorandum of agreement, the Province of Cebu is expected to provide 20 percent counterpart funds to cover administrative operations and other incidental expenses, in cash or in kind.

The Province of Cebu shall create a Project Implementation Committee to supervise and monitor the implementation while BFAR shall assign technical staff to supervise the project.

The governor or his duly designated representative shall act as the chairman of the committee, while the regional director of BFAR 7 will be the vice chairman.

The members are the provincial agriculturist, provincial fisheries officer and the mayor of the LGU where the project is implemented.

The Province of Cebu needs intervention and financial assistance to rehabilitate seaweed and aquafarms damaged by the typhoon, which is the source of livelihood of fish farmers. The intervention is also aimed at helping alleviate poverty in coastal areas.

The Regional Development Council-7 earlier endorsed to the National Economic Development Authority the P26.8 billion proposed rehabilitation and reconstruction program for Cebu after typhoon Yolanda hit last November 8 after Davide presented it to the body.

The plan that was earlier approved by the Provincial Development Council covers the budget needed by the different sectors, which include shelter and resettlement, infrastructure, utilities, school and health facilities, and livelihood, among others.

Around P23.6 billion of the total proposed rehabilitation cost will go to shelter and resettlement.

The infrastructure and utilities sector needs P700 million; social infrastructure sector P853.7 million; livelihood and emergency employment sector P558 million and P25.3 million for the social development sector.—/QSB (FREEMAN)