DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The flow of livelihood assistance and capability training through the national government’s Sustainable Livelihood Program has assisted and empowered some 30 members of a farmer-fisherfolks’ association in the rural part of Davao City.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XI and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XI jointly extended the SLP assistance to the BBJ Agri-Fisheries Sustainable Livelihood Program Association in Barangay Biao Joaquin, Calinan.
The association, whose members are also beneficiaries of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), recently received post-harvest equipment which includes solar dryer, sealing machine, knives, aprons, plastic trays, chopping boards, and hairnets.
The assistance also covered training on the production of tilapia lamayo and dried fish.
BBJ Agri-Fisheries SLP Association business operation manager Virgenia Gabito Cañedo expressed gratitude to the agencies for providing them and the association the opportunity to progress.
“Salamat sa inyong way puas nga pag panerbisyo sa katawhan aron masungkit ang kalamboan sa among grupo ug sa komunidad (Thank you for your incessant service to the people, for our group and community to attain growth),” Cañedo said.
“Wala kami nag dahom na luyo ning among pagka myembro sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino ug Sustainable Livelihood Program, inyo ming gipukaw ug gitabangan na maka kat-onan (We didn’t expect that aside from being members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino and Sustainable Livelihood Program, you motivate and help us to learn),” she added.
She said that their fish products will help them earn extra income for the association and supplement the daily needs of their family.
Renee Enriquez, OIC head of BFAR XI’s Regional Fisheries Training and Fisherfolk Coordination Division (RFTFCD), said these resources will enable members to kick start their operations, effectively manage their livelihood, and ensure the quality of their fishery products.
Enriquez urged the association’s members and officers to strive in ensuring for the project to improve and be sustained.
He also commended the dedication, resilience, and determination of the members, highlighting that their success is not solely dependent on the provided tools but on their commitment as beneficiaries.
Earlier this year, the BBJ Agri-Fisheries SLP Association also benefited from DSWD XI’s Cash-For-Work program under the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) program, which supported the association’s project dubbed as “Planting of Fruit-bearing Trees and Vegetables and Fish Pond Drainage Canal Excavation.” (CLC/PIA Davao/BFAR XI)
