BALER, Aurora – Two fishermen groups here have received P3.6 million worth of solar salt production packages in a bid to bolster renewable energy-based salt production.
Lt. Col. Julito B. Recto, Jr., commander of 91st IB said three sets of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Liners for Solar Salt Production Package worth of P401,400; three sets Materials for Solar Salt Production worth of P718,200 and ten units of Small Scale Cooking Furnace worth of P708,136.56 were each awarded to the Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Sitio Dumaguipo at Dinipan, and Samahan ng Mangingisdang Agta.
The two groups received the livelihood packages amounting to P3,655,473.12. The livelihood packages were given in the presence of BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo M. Cruz and other local officials at Sitio Dimaguipo, Barangay Cozo, Casiguran, Aurora.
Recto said the 91st IB and other concerned agencies will continue to provide livelihood assistance to former rebels and its supporters who decided to abandon armed struggle and joined the government’s peace and development initiatives.
“Your government is showing sincerity, we are determined to help our fisherfolks. We urged our POs (people organizations) not to be influenced again by communist terrorist groups (CTGs) and instead work with the government to maintain peace and development,” Recto said.
BFAR Region 3, RD Cruz said the inauguration of salt making facility is the first project given by his office through the initiatives of 91st IB.
“This will help them to enhance the production capacity and ensure a more consistent supply of salt to the province of Aurora,” Cruz said.
Samahan ng Mangingisda ng Sitio Dumaguipo at Dinipan President Ka Joseph expressed his gratitude to BFAR, 91st IB and other local government agencies for the assistance they provided.
On the other hand, Samahan ng Mangingisdang Agta ng Cozo President Ka Joel also expressed his sincerest gratitude to 91st IB and BFAR, saying that it would greatly help them to change their lives while turning back to mainstream society.