LUBAO, Pampanga—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Central Luzon distributed a P20-million “bonanza” of fishing equipment, cash and building material to the fishermen of the coastal towns of Pampanga, especially those operating near Manila Bay, to boost their income.
The beneficiaries are from the coastal towns of Masantol, Minalin, Candaba, Apalit, San Simon, Guagua, Sasmuan, Macabebe and Lubao.
Wilfredo Cruz, BFAR regional director, said the equipment includes 135 motorized fiber-reinforced plastic boats complete with fishing paraphernalia.
The fishing boats, worth P7.8 million in total, are equipped with a marine engine, underwater fittings, life vests and lamps, which will give the fisherfolk more opportunity and safety while in the open seas of Manila Bay.
During the celebration of the Farmers and Fisherfolk Month here, Cruz said the bureau also handed a P3-million check to Lubao Mayor Mylyn Cayabyab and former Pampanga second district congressman Mikey Arroyo.
The funds are for the construction of a community fish landing center here, so fishermen can now market their catch “without passing through middlemen but to direct buyers for more profits for them,” Cruz said.
“This is the answer of the government to their long-overdue complaint,” he said.
A P600,000 monitoring and surveillance station was also inaugurated in barangay Santa Catalina, Lubao yesterday, which aims to observe illegal fishing along Pampanga’s coastal areas, especially along Manila Bay.
Fisherman can also use the station during nighttime, and serve as the office of the fish technician to help those operating in the areas.
Cruz urged the fishermen to practice responsible fishing habits to protect the environment, and not to engage in dynamite fishing.
The farmers and fishermen bonanza were requested by Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to uplift the living conditions of the farmers and fishermen in the province.