IBA, Zambales — The provincial government here will start the modernization program of the local fishing industry here by procuring an automated harvester vessel with ancillary boats and training the fisherfolks in the use of this modern technology.
Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said the provincial government aims to kickstart the modernization of the local fishing industry with the 96-feet long, steel-hulled harvester boat paired with two reinforced fiberglass lightboats and one service boat under an assistance program initiated by the Zambales Maritime Development Council (ZMDC).
The vessels will be built by Stoneworks Specialist International Corp. in General Trias, Cavite, the biggest fiberglass boat maker in the country, which also builds tugboats, barges, and other customized vessels. They will be operated by members of the Zambales Provincial Fishery Association, a federation of fisherfolk groups across the province.
Ebdane said the procurement of a modern harvester boat and ancillary vessels “is the logical next step in pursuit of a long-term solution to the WPS problem by giving local fishers a significant fighting chance.”
While awaiting the delivery of the new vessels this year, local fishermen will undergo training on modern vessel operations under the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso town.
Ebdane stressed that the training component of the fisherfolk assistance program is as important as procuring the new vessels. “Learning new technology and developing new skills is necessary for our fishermen to be competitive. They need to adapt in order to survive and thrive,” he added.
At least two fishermen’s clusters have already completed training under the PMMA. More fishers’ groups are expected to follow suit.
The Zambales governor has long advocated boosting the competitiveness of local fishermen as a strategic solution to the problem in the WPS, where local fishers cannot access traditional fishing grounds on account of bullying by Chinese militia vessels.
Last year, Ebdane shepherded the formation of fisherfolk cooperatives, as well as the distribution of P5-million worth of fish aggregating devices or payaos to 26 fisherfolk groups belonging to the Zambales Provincial Fishery Association.
“Bago sa amin ‘yan—wala pang bakal na bangkang pangisda dito sa Zambales, at pati ang mga instrumento ay computerized na. Kaya kailangan talagang pag-aralan namin kung paano gamitin ito,” said Leonardo Cuaresma, president of the New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association, one of the groups under the provincial fisherfolk federation.
Cuaresma also said that small payao fishers are excited over the prospects of using a commercial fishing boat, as it is expected to increase their productivity while decreasing the cost of harvests. (Malou Dungog)
