CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Fisherfolk in Central Luzon whose livelihood was affected by the recent onslaught of typhoons Egay and Falcon, as well as the habagat, will soon get assistance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR Central Luzon Director Wilfredo Cruz said that some two million fingerlings have been allotted for small fishermen in the region.
He said the weather disturbances affected around 5,000 fishermen and damaged over P500-million worth fish products.
Criuz said that a proposal was already made for a quick response fund for the rehabilitation and recovery from losses in the fisheries sector.
“It is up to the Department of Agriculture (DA) on how much they are going to release. We proposed based on the damage cost but there will be another validation. Whatever will be the actual validation of the extent of damage, that will be the quick response fund,” he said.
Last year, Cruz said the BFAR-3 received some P85 million quick response fund which was used to provide assistance to fishers affected by Typhoons Karding and Paeng.
Aside from fingerlings, the BFAR likewise distributes fishing equipment and other paraphernalia to boost the fishing communities in the region.
The DA, through BFAR, is continuously providing assistance to the fisheries sector and not only during calamities.