In a statement yesterday, the Unified Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) said it distributed over the weekend such items to “affected fishermen” in Masinloc, Zambales.
Nolcom said the project was an “advocacy campaign supporting the government’s current stand in the West Philippine Sea issue.”
It said the project was also participated in by the Army’s 3rd Mechanized Division and Tactical Operations Group 3 as part of their “community relations activity for the affected fishing community who are victims of dispute in the West Philippine Sea at Barangay Masinloc, Zambales.”
“The main objective of the activity is to promote safety of life in the sea through patriotic gifts, including safety equipment for fishing,” Nolcom said.
The Nolcom statement, authenticated by Maj. Gina Daet of the Nolcom information office, said the fishermen also received life rings, life vests, floats and water proof search lights.”
Nolcom said the Philippine flags were “for their fishing boats” while the fi rst aid kits were for “their daily labor in the sea.”
It said the project was held also with the support of non-government organizations it identified as Black Pencil, Go Share and Juan Portrait represented by Noel Gonzales and Edmund Corpuz.
“Black Pencil, Go Share and Juan Portrait is a collective initiative committed to provide beddings, assistance, safety and health assistance, school buildings, livelihood projects and school supplies like pencils, pens and paper to public elementary school children living in remote and indigenous communities,” Nolcom said.
It noted that a forum, attended by Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Romeo Tanalgo, was also held with the fishermen to provide them humanitarian support and awareness.”
