General Santos fisherfolk get livelihood assistance

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos has turned over P22.85 million worth of livelihood assistance to fisherfolk in General Santos City and nearby coastal communities.

Marcos said the livelihood support from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is part of his administration’s effort to boost productivity and ensure food security.

“We will do everything we can to support the entire (fishery sector) – not just the cold storage, but the entire cold chain to maintain the quality of freshly caught fish,” Marcos said at a meeting in Barangay Tambler yesterday.

He committed to build more agricultural and fish ports across the country to reduce transport cost.

The President was joined by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and BFAR officials. They inspected the tuna unloading and auction operation at the PFDA-General Santos Fish Port Complex, which is undergoing upgrade to meet global standards.

The port supports around 200,000 workers and is a vital hub for the country’s tuna industry.

Among the livelihood assistance are 11 units of fish aggregating devices known as payao, which were given to tuna handliners’ groups and fishers’cooperatives,  as well as motorized boats, solar salt production equipment, seaweed farm implements and a fish processing center.                  – Helen Flores

to the Asinan Buayan Fisherfolk Association, Kanipaan Salt and Fisherfolk Association, Barongis SRI Farmers Multipurpose Association, Barongis Agri-Aqua Producers Association, Namat-Masla Fishing Association and Big Brothers Fishermen Association.

Marcos also provided a set of solar salt production equipment to the Barongis Agri-Aqua Producers Association.

For fishing operations, six 21-foot fiberglass boats with engines and accessories were turned over to the Bayanihan Fisherfolk Association and 10 17-foot motorized boats to the Kawas Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Alabel Deputized Fish Warden Association, Sapu Masla Manambanay Fisherfolk Association and the Sapu Masla Fisherfolk Association.

Fifty units of marine engines with capacities of 6.5 and 10 horsepower as well as sets of marine fish cage inputs, including milkfish fingerlings, feeds and nets were distributed to several fisherfolk associations in the area.

A village-type fish processing center was awarded to Bangon Syco Kauswagan Organization, while fish processing equipment and marketing supplies were provided to the Asnalang 6 Fisherfolk Association.

The Guardian Brotherhood Seaweed Association received complete seaweed farm implements and maintenance support for six nurseries, amounting to P8.6 million.