SOME 250 poor fisherfolks have received food packs in a mobile community pantry initiated by the Zamboanga del Norte provincial field office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Arcelita Andaya, BFAR-Zamboanga del Norte provincial field officer, said the recipients of the mobile community pantry held last week were the poor fisherfolks of Villa Calixto Sudiacal village, Liloy town in that province.

Andaya said the activity was in line with the celebration of Farmers and Fisherfolk Month, which is being held every month of May.

She said from the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in 2020, food pack distribution to marginal and distressed fisherfolks has become a custom of the BFAR in order to provide immediate support to its most affected stakeholders in the region.

Andaya said the debilitating global contagion has highlighted the importance of this effort during times of dire need where surviving a day may depend on the availability of food sustenance. (SunStar Zamboanga)