SOME 205 fishermen from Lubao and Sasmuan towns received some P800,000 worth of fishing equipment from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on Friday, June 17 at the Lubao Bamboo Hub.
The assistance is part of BFAR’s support for coastal communities who depend on fishing as means of livelihood.
Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice Governor Lilia "Nanay" Pineda, BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona, BFAR Central Luzon Director Wilfredo Cruz, and Lubao Mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” Pineda led the distribution of the equipment which included 200 gillnets, 5 motorized fiberglass boats, and 2 motorcycle side car fish transport (bakulingling).
“Nagpapasalamat kaming mga taga-Pampanga kay Dir. Gongona para rito. Actually, may kasunod pa ito na apatnapung fishing boat,s 62-footer fishing boat na pwede sa malayuan, at karagdagan pang bakulingling,” Vice Governor Pineda said.
She said that the Provincial Government of Pampanga, through the BFAR, is also set at building a fish processing facility in Lubao town.