THE Davao fisher folks and farmers were given a boost as the Department of Agriculture distributed a total of P22.1 million worth of fiberglass fishing boats, fishing gears and post-harvest equipment on Wednesday, August 17, at the Davao Fish Port Complex, Toril, Davao City.
Agriculture secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who led the distribution and consultation with the farmers and fishermen said these interventions are geared towards President Rodrigo Duterte's administration vision of alleviating extreme poverty.
"But this is beyond just the distribution, our new paradigm in all our government services, it not just distribution per se, we also would want to look into whether these interventions will really be able to lift their economic and social condition," he said in an ambush interview with reporters.
Piñol said that the intervention is enabled with geo-tagging mechanism.
The agriculture department geo-tagged the beneficiaries as they plan to revisit them after three years and ask if the interventions are helpful to them.
For the fisher folks, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed a total of 300 units of motorized fiberglass boats with complete set of fishing gear (5.5hp engine) benefitting a total of 600 fishermen belonging to the poor, marginalized (Indigenous People, women, Persons with disability) and those who are affected by the implementation of the Closed Season in Davao Gulf.
Each of the 300 bancas will be shared by two families.
The August 17 distribution is part of DA's target which is to deliver some 200,000 bancas before the year ends.
Aside from the boats, all beneficiaries will receive P3,000 monthly cash assistance for three months for being "bantay-dagat" (sea guards), who are tasked to maintain the cleanliness of the sea and ensure no illegal fishing activities will occur.
Of the 600 fishermen, 120 of which are from the Badjao community.
Among them is John Elerios who thanked the intervention of the city and DA in helping out with the livelihood of the Badjao tribe.
"Dako kayo akong pasalamat sa ilaha nga gitagaan mi og banca para sa among pangisda. Akong anak padayon sa eskwela, graduating na sa (St.) John Paul (College) mapadayon na iyahang eskwela kay naa na man banca," he said.
Ernesto Daligdig, a 46-year-old fisherman of Barangay 76-A also said that the free boats given to them will lessen their expenses as they will need not to pay for the daily boat rental when fishing.
Fishing boat rental starts from P20 to P200 per day.
Piñol said the intervention is just the start of more distribution soon.
He committed last Tuesday to give 100 fishing boats per community in all local government units in Davao Region, adding that the banca distribution is a best example of an immediate intervention.
He also said that DA-BFAR has already distributed about 1,000 bancas in the country and released some P2 billion worth of equipment since Piñol assumed office.
The agriculture department also distributed post-harvest facilities and high-value crop seedlings to 20 farming communities in Davao.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, through City Agriculture Office chief Leo Bryan Leuterio, thanked DA for the assistance.
In her message, the Mayor said the turnover is timely as Dabawenyos celebrate its 31st Kadayawan sa Dabaw, an annual festival showcasing abundance including "bountiful harvest of our seas".
With the intervention measures of DA, Piñol also called on the farmers and fishermen to "observe closed season, declare marine sanctuary, rehabilitate and protect mangroves, stop illegal fishing and clean up coastal waters."