By Leilanie Adriano/ PNA
LAOAG CITY — Vari
ous fisherfolk associations in the coastal city and towns of Ilocos Norte have received fish aggregating devices and nets as part of fishery livelihood projects from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Director Lilibeth Signey, of BFAR Regional Field Office I, turned over Tuesday 56 payaos (floating artificial reef) and two gillnets to the beneficiaries in a simple ceremony held at the Centennial Arena this city.
The fishermen association of Pasuquin which was among the places hardest hit by Typhoon Ompong got 16 payaos and gillnets worth PHP2.7 million, followed by Laoag with PHP1.59 million; Pagudpud and Currimao with PHP1.2 million each.
The PHP2.55 million worth of fishing materials were shared by fishermen associations of Bangui, Burgos, Bacarra, Badoc and Paoay.
“We are thankful for the government support. This is a big help for us to boost our livelihood,” Ronald Peralta, village chief of Puyupuyan, Pasuquin town, said.
Typhoon Ompong struck Ilocos Norte last September.
As part of BFAR’s program to empower marginalized fishermen, the agency is giving various fishing aid to ensure that they will no longer resort to illegal fishing and other means that destroy coastal resources.
While the government is slowly doing away with dole-outs, Signey also told fishers in the province there are non-collateralized loans which they can take advantage of through cooperative banks, cooperatives, farmers and fisherfolk organizations, and non-government organizations (NGOs) as lending conduits.
With a minimum interest of 6 percent per annum, qualified applicants can avail up to PHP50,000 depending on the agri-fishery production project to be financed.
Insurable agri-fishery commodities financed under the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA) facility may be insured by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).