TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite (PIA) – Around 5,000 fisherfolks and their families in Cavite’s four coastal towns are set to benefit from the P500-million financial aid under the “Handog Tulong Pinansyal Para sa Mangingisda” program rolled out by the San Miguel Corporation.
These families residing in Rosario, Tanza, Naic, and Ternate towns are affected by the ongoing dredging operations for the construction of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project. SMC said the fisherfolks were identified based on third-party surveys and validation by local officials and fishermen groups’ local leaders.
An initiative of San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI), monthly financial assistance of Php 5,000.00 will be given to the identified beneficiaries until the completion of their operations in 2024.
SMAI said it continues to provide livelihood programs in cooperation with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) for fisherfolk organizations as part of its Social Development Management Program (SDMP) that aims to mitigate the effects of decreasing fish catch.
Together with its partner and leading global marine engineering firm, Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V., SMAI has also provided fishermen with safety equipment, including radar reflectors, life vests, life buoy rings, foam buoys, led lights, and rechargeable batteries.
“We are well aware of the effects of the ongoing operations of our contractor, Boskalis, in the San Nicolas Shoal, that’s why we are taking all necessary measures to mitigate these. We’re committed to helping fisherfolk families in the area, and we’re very transparent about the project with them. We thank them for their valuable contribution in helping get this priority national project done,” said SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang.
The company is also tapping a third-party organization that will partner with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to assess how to improve fishing yields from the shoal. This is to help bring up the volume of catch from the area, even long after Boskalis’ activities are completed.
Olivia Bautista, president of the local fisherfolk organization KAMMALIG, expressed gratitude to SMAI for addressing their concerns and continue helping the affected families.
“Nais po naming magpasalamat sa San Miguel sa mga tulong na aming natanggap at sa mga parating pa na tulong na handa nilang ibigay sa amin. Kahit pa lumiit ang lugar na aming pinapangisdaan at tuloy pa rin kami at nasisiguro nila na kami ay ligtas,” said Bautista. (Ruel Francisco, PIA-Cavite with reports from SMC)
