Yolanda victims receive boats from Spain, OPAPP

MANILA, Philippines - At least 143 fishermen affected by Super Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Samar were the latest beneficiaries of fishing boats from a joint project of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) and the Agencia Española Cooperacion International para el Desarrollo (AECID) of the Spanish government.

Sixty-three fishing boats were distributed in the municipalities of Hernani, Lorente and General MacArthur on Nov. 11. Each boat comes with gear, fishnet and engine.

“We know how hard it was for you…We are here to extend the kind of help you deserve. We are here to strengthen and build relationships in our pursuit of peace and prosperity,” said OPAPP Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles.

Deles said the beneficiaries were chosen based on studies and assessments made by the municipal social welfare and development offices.

An initial batch of 63 fishing boats were distributed in Eastern Samar and Villareal and Marabut towns in Samar last year.

Spanish Ambassador Antonio Calvo and AECID general coordinator Juan Pita along with OPAPP Undersecretary Luisito Montalbo and Assistant Secretary Jennifer Oreta, Llorente Mayor Tito Codoy Jr. and Hernani Mayor Edgar Boco witnessed the turnover ceremony.