Sweating out and giving all his force trying to start his motorboat for around 20 minutes, 52-year-old  Froilan Aparecio understood that his engine was due for retirement as it squealed and growled. He looked at the sky as the sun was about to rise. He has not yet departed forPujada Bay, worried that if he can’t fish for the day, he will fail to provide food for his family, and fund their other needs.

At last, after around 30 minutes, the engine started. So with no delay, he took off for another day of fishing.

This was the struggle of Aparecio with his more than 15-year-old motor engine. Thankfully, on March 18, he was one of the 45 fisherfolk in the City of Mati who received motor engines and other fishing paraphernalia from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the city government.

Aparecio expressed gratitude to the government for supporting small fisherfolk like him.

“Dako akong pasalamat nga napili mi na beneficiary aning engine; dakong tabang ni sa akoa, labi na guba na akong makina,” he said.

(I am very thankful that we were chosen to be beneficiaries of these engines; this will be a big help to me since my engine is damaged.)

With the new engine, Aparecio said that he will no longer be anxious, even going beyond 5 kilometers from Pujada Bay to catch more fish.

mapatuman nila ang ilang obligasyon sa pag atiman sa atong kadagatan alang sa malahutayong panginabuhian,” he added.

(The goal and objectives of this project is to assist and aid the fishery sector in escaping poverty and for them to act on their obligation to take care of the sea towards their sustainable livelihood.)

He also said that the City of Mati has consistently been recognized as one of the top finalists at the regional level of the MMK program since its inception in 2016, showcasing the city’s commitment to marine conservation and sustainable fisheries practices. (MLU/PIA Davao Oriental/Photos from the City Agriculture of Mati City)