“Namimigay kami ng fishing gear, paraphernalia at iba pang gamit sa mga mangingisda sa Bataan upang lalong mapataas ang kanilang kita at the same time ma-protektahan sila sa panganib sa laot,” said BFAR Region 3 director Lilian Garcia.
She said that the different fishing gears and equipment are worth P18,985,850.71. “This is just for this day. It is a continuing program because BFAR will conduct distribution again in the succeeding months,” the regional director said.
She said to benefit from the first handouts this year are 1,700 fishermen from 11 towns and one city in the province.
Among the items distributed were fishing gear and paraphernalia composed of lantern lamps, portable solar lamps, life vests, marine engine, non-motorized banca and fiber glass boats, all worth P2.532M.
Some fish vendors received vending equipment in the form of tri-bicycles with side cars in the amount of P0.195M.
Small fishpond operators were given bangus and tilapia fingerlings worth P0.806M while the municipalities of Morong, Orani and Limay were awarded community fish landing centers totaling P8.55M.
Balanga City which is known for its smoke and dried fish industry was awarded gillnets, smokehouse and vacuum packaging machines valued at P0.909M.
The towns of Orani and Pilar got gillnets, weighing scales, fine mesh nets, crabnets, ice box coolers worth P1.0M and P1.194M, respectively.
Recipients of the Bottom Up Budgeting projects worth P3.799M were the municipalities of Orani and Limay.
