Mario Neil Montemar, 49, used to be an overseas Filipino worker before he took up fishing as his main livelihood. A graduate of transportation, he said that he was working overseas but later on realized that he really wanted to be a fisherman.
“Nagdako ko sa Bantayan Island sa Santa Fe, unya akong namat-an jud ang pangisda. Pag-uli nako, ako naamgohan nga libre ra ang resources sa dagat nga pwede ra jud panginabuhian. Dili ta magkalisu-od-lisod kay ang resources libre ra, ang imuha ra ang pagkuha ug pagkugi,” said Montemar.
(I grew up on Bantayan Island in Santa Fe, and fishing was our main livelihood. I came to realize that the resources from the sea are free and can be a source of livelihood. It won’t be too difficult because the resources are free. It’s just a matter of harvesting and hard work.)
He later joined and became the chairperson of the Municipal Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) in Siaton, Negros Oriental.
MFARMC has been a beneficiary of several programs implemented by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Montemar shares his experience on the benefits their association has received from BFAR.
During those times when he was not yet a beneficiary of BFAR, he was earning P3,000 to P4,000 every time he went fishing.
However, since becoming a BFAR beneficiary, his earnings have doubled.
“Dako-dako jud compare sa katong nakatrabaho pud ko sa BPO sauna kay ibutang ta 6,000 ako weekly. Pero karon, kada pangisda nako, mokita ko ug P3,000 to P5,000, usahay madoble pa,” he added.
(My earnings are significantly higher now compared to when I was working in a BPO before, where I would make P6,000 weekly. But now, with each fishing trip, I earn P3,000 to P5,000, sometimes even double that.)
Montemar is thankful for the assistance their organization has received from the government through BFAR, especially for the fishing gear and tools.
“Dako kaayo among pasalamat tungod kay aning mga pump boat, pwede nami makadayo bisan ug ting-amihan o ting-habagat. Kung ting-amihan man gud dagko, kaayo ang balod, dili mi maka-adto sa lawd kay paddle boat ra man among gamit. Apan karon sukad mi nakadawat aning fiber glass boat gikan sa BFAR, makapanagat nami bisan ting-amihan,” he explained.
(We are grateful for these pump boats because we can go fishing even during the northeast or southwest monsoon seasons. Especially during the northeast monsoon, when the waves are high, we couldn’t go out to sea because we only used paddle boats before. But since we received this fiberglass boat from BFAR, we can go fishing even during the northeast monsoon.)
MFARMC has received from BFAR various fishing tools such as the Bottom Set and Drift Gill Net, two units of 22-Footer Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats with 5.5 horsepower marine engines with complete accessories, Marine Fish Cage for Milkfish, and the Oyster Shell Culture Program.
Montemar was elected as Fisherfolk Regional Director for May 2024 in Region 7.
Farmers’ and Fisherfolks’ Month
Proclamation No. 393, signed by former Pres. Corazon Aquino, declares May as Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month.
The celebration recognizes the significant contribution of Filipino farmers and fishermen to the nation’s economy, food security, and development.
This year’s observance is anchored on the theme “Kagitingan ng Mangingisdang Pilipino, sa Bagong Pilipinas, ipagdiwang natin ito.”
BFAR7 continues to provide assistance through various programs to the farming and fishing sectors in the communities.
Fishermen groups are assisted through livelihood support funded under the Targeted Actions to Reduce Poverty and Generate Economic Transformation (TARGET) programs, which aims to assist the marginalized fisherfolks and at the same time increase fish production in the region.
TARGET programs include the distribution of the bottom set and drift gill net, the “Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko” scheme for FRP boats, the marine fish cage for bangus, and the oyster shell culture program. (MYP/PIA7)
