SUBIC, Zambales – Some 400 commercial fishers in the province of Zambales received financial assistance from Senate Minority Leader Francis Tolentino through the Assistance Crisis Individual Situation (AICS) payout plan Monday, June 17, afternoon.
The beneficiaries each received P3,000 and bags of rice each from the senator with the assistance of local government unit heads from Sta. Cruz, Masinloc, and Subic.
Among the recipients, 121 were members of the Burador Fisherman’s Association in Sta Cruz, 248 fishermen from Masinloc Fishermen’s Cooperative, and 47 fishermen are members of the Subic Commercial Fisher’s Association.
During his visit, Tolentino also held a dialogue with the fisherfolks.
Fisherfolk leaders and sectoral representatives aired their difficulties and experiences during their fishing activities in Scarborough Shoal and other disputed areas inside in the West Philippine Sea. They pleaded for urgent government action on the current crisis they are facing at sea.
Tolentino reiterated the efforts of the Philippine Coast Guard in its capacity to protect the nation’s claims and foothold in its territorial waters as well as the continuous provision of fishing boats and fishing gears by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to meet the fishermen’s needs.
Tolentino who authored several maritime laws such as the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, the Good Samaritan at Sea Bill, and the Philippines’ Archipelagic Sea Lanes asked the fishery sector to be more vigilant and avoid fishing were there are possible confrontation with Chinese vessels. He said the government and concerned agencies are doing their best effort to ensure the safety and protection of the fishers.
