LUBAO -- The Bureau of Fisheries at Aquatic Resources (BFAR) turned over more than P600,000 worth of fishing equipment, materials as well as livelihood training to the fishermen of Lubao and Sasmuan towns.

This was during the simultaneous coastal clean-up drive at the Bamboo Hub in barangays Santa Catalina and Santa Teresa 2nd in Lubao town. The event was attended by Governor Lilia Pineda, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda Cayabyab, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo Gongona.

The BFAR turned over livelihood assistance in the form of fishing gear and paraphernalia worth P149,400. The BFAR also gave post harvest equipment worth P42,515. Six units of fish stalls worth P100,000 were also given as part of the fisheries livelihood development program.

Sasmuan, Lubao and Guagua pond operators were also given fish fingerlings for dispersal amounting to P201,000.

The distribution was part of the coastal clean-up drive “Manila Bay: Gawing MMK” (Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan). This is in compliance to the Supreme Court’s Writ of Continuing Mandamus to clean Manila Bay and its tributary waters in neighboring provinces like Pampanga.

The BFAR also allocated some P145,000 worth of fish fingerlings for communal dispersal under the Balik Sigla sa Ilog program.