Fisherfolk communities in various towns of Pampanga received livelihood aid from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
These include those from Apalit, Mexico, Minalin, Porac, and Sasmuan.
BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz disclosed that among the aid given were multi-filament nets and solar lamps to make operation more efficient in their fish ponds.
Gillnets and floaters especially designed to catch crabs were also given to fisherfolks who are making a living through the province’s rivers.
For ambulant vendors who sell their harvest, BFAR distributed tri-wheel bikes with attached weighing scales and coolers to help facilitate selling of their products.
Cruz shared that local government units of the fisherfolk beneficiaries personally wrote to BFAR to provide economic support.
“Upon receipt of their request, we tap the office of Pampanga Provincial Fisheries Officer Nico Wamil to allocate the distributed items in line with BFAR’s goal of paying tribute to the fisherfolks by helping them increase their catches and income,” he said.
Cruz appealed to the beneficiaries to give value and proper care to the equipment given to them by the government so that they can use them for long term. (CLJD/MJSC-PIA 3)