SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — Two fisherfolk associations in Occidental Mindoro are set to receive fishing vessels this year from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under its F/B Pagbabago Livelihood Development Program.
Each fisherfolk association will be given a 62-feet long fishing boat, made of fiberglass with complete accessories including an electronic communication device, and six small boats, which will allow the fisherfolk to catch more fish, contributing to increased fish supply and productivity.
The total amount for the boats and accessories is ₱20 million or ₱10 million per association, BFAR MIMAROPA Regional Director Roberto Abrera explained.
During the Kongreso ng Mangingisda para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran or Fisherfolk Congress held at Seasons Hotel, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, BFAR National Director Elizer S. Salilig pointed out that the intervention aims to help fishermen to earn more.
One participant during the event shared that their catch is usually divided into three parts, namely 20 percent goes to the captain, 40 percent to the owner of the commercial fishing boat, and the remaining 40 percent is divided equally among the crew. With 10 crew, each takes home four percent of the catch.
“Kung mayroon na kayong sariling commercial fishing boat…sa umpisa, may 100 percent [na halaga ng huli]. ‘Pag kasama si kapitan, 20 percent, ang 80 percent hatiin po ng tauhan, so times two ang kinita ninyo,” Salilig explained.
(If you have your commercial fishing boat, initially, you have 100 percent of the catch. The captain will receive 20 percent, and 80 percent will be divided among the crew, so your earnings are doubled.)
The first batch of fisherfolk associations that received fishing boats were in the towns of Sablayan and Mamburao under the program funding for 2023.
In addition to this year’s batch, Salilig committed two fishing boats to two associations from San Jose and Paluan towns under the same project, scheduled for 2025’s funding.
Meanwhile, Abrera emphasized that the beneficiaries are registered and organized associations, and encourages all fisherfolk and farmers to register with their Municipal Agriculture Office and form an association with the help of the local government and the Department of Labor and Employment, as it is one of the qualifications in receiving such grants.
The Fisherfolk Congress was led by the National Security Council in partnership with other national government agencies in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.
Joined by 150 fisherfolk from different towns in the province, the two-day inter-agency activity focused on enhancing maritime security awareness and promoting sustainable fisheries in the West Philippine Sea. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA-Occidental Mindoro/Photos from San Jose MIO)
