THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), through its Special Area of Agricultural Development (Saad), has turned over some P1.89 million livelihood projects to groups of fisher folks in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

BFAR Regional Director Isidro Velayo, Jr., who led the turnover of the livelihood projects, said the beneficiaries fisher folks are from the 12 identified coastal towns and cities in Zamboanga Del Norte, namely, Dapitan, Dipolog, Rizal, Sibutad, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Sindangan, Leon B. Postigo, Siocon, Sirawai, Baliguian and Sibuco.

Velayo said the fisherfolk-recipients received the following: 22 units 30-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats with accessories and 16 horsepower marine engine; 22 sets of drift gillnet (pikit-pikit); 42 sets of tuna hook and line; and 42 sets of squid jiggers.

Velayo said the Saad is a locally funded program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help alleviate poverty among the marginalized group in agriculture and fisheries sectors.

In the region, the province of Zamboanga del Norte was the only recipient of the national program in which the BFAR has already implemented some livelihood projects.

The distribution of the livelihood projects was witnessed by the officials of the 12 coastal towns and cities. (SunStar Zamboanga)