LUBAO, Pampanga — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 3 (BFAR3) on Wednesday distributed 135 units of 20-footer motorized fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats and fishing paraphernalia worth P7.8 million to fishermen-beneficiaries from eight aquatic towns in the province.
The awarding of the FRP boats held at the Bamboo Hub in Barangay Sta. Catalina here, was made possible through the request of 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda.
Leading the distribution of FRP boats and other fishing paraphernalia were BFAR 3 Director Wilfredo M.Cruz, Mayor Mylyn Pineda Cayabyab, former 2nd Cong. Mikey Arroyo and Prov’l Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) head Engr. Art Punsalan.
Aside from the FRP Boats worth P4,225,500, also distributed were 135 pieces of lifevests (P35,500); 100 sets of gillnets (P190,000); 30 units of lantern lamps (P144,000); 30 sets of solar lamps (P117,000); and 8 tri-bike with coolers (P120,000).
The BFAR3 also funded the construction of the Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC) project amounting to P3 million. Part of the program was the inauguration of the Monitoring Control and Surveillance Station (MCS) .
According to Cruz, MCS which was inaugurated here in Lubao, is the law enforcers’ quick response team in Central Luzon. It is also the first law station in Pampanga, with the second MCS station located in Masantol town.
The FRP boats, specifically requested by Arroyo and Pineda for the 2,986 marginalized fisherfolk of Pampanga fishing along Manila Bay and Pampanga river and its tributaries, were fabricated by fisherfolk recipients themselves. The livelihood program is part of the F/B pagbabago program of BFAR.
Pineda thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for some P7.8 million in support for the fisheries in Pampanga.
The governor also reminded fishermen to engage in responsible fishing.
CFLC in Lubao
Lubao is one of the producers of tilapia, alimango and vannamei in Region 3 with an estimated 4,500 hectares fishpond area. Fishpond operators market their harvests either in Sasmuan or Bataan.
For her part, Mayor Cayabyab said the establishment of CFLC in their area, transport cost and post harvest losses will be reduced thus their income will increase.