Consistent with his advocacy to advance the welfare of the country’s marginalized fisherfolk, Senate Majority Leader Francis ‘Tol’ Tolentino visited Sta. Cruz, Zambales on Thursday to personally lead the handover of livelihood support to local fishers.
Highlighting the event was the turnover of ten fiberglass reinforced plastic boats (FRPB), in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Fisheries (BFAR), and the local government, led by Mayor Consolacion Marty.
Tolentino likewise spearheaded the payout for fisherfolk who benefited from DOLE’s emergency employment program – the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers (TUPAD).
The beneficiaries included more than 500 fisherfolk, whose homes and livelihoods were heavily impacted by typhoon Carina last July.
“May these new boats help you in your means of income. These will be equipped with marine engines and accessories, including transponders, which would allow our authorities to monitor your location when you’re out at sea, and send assistance in case of emergencies,” noted the senator.
For the TUPAD beneficiaries, Tolentino said: “I hope that the amount you’ll receive, though modest, would help your family well.”
Finally, Tolentino said that he intends to push for a program that would help families displaced by calamities through government assistance for the payment of their basic utilities.
To be called ‘LITAW’ (Liwanag, Internet, Kuryente Assistance Welfare), the senator said that he came up with the proposal after seeing how many disaster victims are forced to prioritize payment for their utility bills to avoid disconnection, while still in the process of rebuilding their home.
“When homes are destroyed by disasters, like flood, fire, or earthquake, the priority should be to buy building materials like roofing, wood, and hollow blocks. But what happens is that the victims would have to pay first for their electricity water, or internet to avoid disconnection,” he explained.
Last June, Tolentino visited fishing communities in various localities in Zambales that were affected by the conflict at the West Philippine Sea, specifically after China warned that it would start arresting and detaining fishermen for 60 days without trial when caught within its claimed territory that covers Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
The senator chairs the Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones.