LUBAO, Pampanga – Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, along with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday distributed P800,000 worth of fishing gears to 205 Kapampangan fisherfolks held at the Bamboo Hub, this town.
This was gleaned thru Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda’s call to BFAR to provide support to coastal residents, whose main source of income is fishing.
“Upon assessing na kailangan na talaga ito ng mga mangingisda para sa kanilang kabuhayan, binigyang aksyon kaagad ng ating BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona, para maibigay na itong mga lambat, para magamit nila sa kanilang araw-araw na kabuhayan,” BFAR Central Luzon Director Wilfredo Cruz said.
The actual distribution of 200 gillnets, five motorized fiberglass boats, and 2 motorcycle side car fish transport (bakulingling) was led by Congresswoman Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice Governor Pineda, Director Gongona, Cruz, and Lubao Mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” Pineda.
“Nagpapasalamat kaming mga taga-Pampanga kay Dir. Gongona para rito. Actually, may kasunod pa ito na apat na pung (40) fishing boat, 62-footer fishing boat na pwede sa malayuan, at karagdagan pang bakulingling,” Vice Governor Pineda, for her part, said.
Aside from the fishing gears, the provincial government also distributed cash and food assistance to the beneficiaries during the event.
Marcelino Espares–one of the beneficiaries–expressed his gratitude, especially to the Pineda administration.
“Napakalaking tulong po nitong ipinagkaloob nila sa amin, lalo na’t ito ang pangunahing pinagkukuhanan namin sa araw-araw. Talagang napakababait nila, matagal na natin silang kasama, kaya hindi na natin sila dapat bitawan pa,” he said.
With the assistance of the BFAR, the provincial government is eyeing to put up fish processing and landing centers, as part of its efforts to boost the income of local fishermen.