MINALIN -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) continues to assist fisherfolks despite the virus pandemic as it distributed on Wednesday morning various fishing gears in this town.
BFAR-Central Luzon Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz led the turnover of the equipment amounting to some P130,000 to Mayor Edgar Flores here.
Cruz said the equipment, which includes fishing nets and solar lamps, is part of the annual allocation of the municipality from the agency.
"These fishing gears are the ones requested by our fisherfolks here. We only gave what is in their list as we do not want anything to be left unused," he said.
Flores, for his part, expressed gratitude to BFAR for its continuous support to the fishing industry of this town.
He stressed that the equipment will boost the production of the local fisherfolks which averages 50 to 80 metric tons per month, making them the "Tilapia Capital of Central Luzon."
"This assistance will help in ensuring the food security and sustainability not only in our municipality but in the whole of Pampanga and Central Luzon," Flores said.
Officials who graced the turnover ceremony also shared a sumptuous seafood lunch to disprove reports that there is an outbreak of diseases among tilapia and shrimps.
Flores said that the public has nothing to worry about as seafood, especially tilapia, are safe to eat as verified by experts from BFAR.