THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) has allocated P73.62 million as rehabilitation funds for damaged fisheries equipment due to flash floods from the shear line and wind convergence in Northern Mindanao.
In a statement, the DA said that rehabilitation and the distribution of fishing equipment will be handled by the regional office of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) after the signing of a memorandum of agreement on rehabilitation projects.
Funds have been allotted for 1,259 units of motorized boats with multiple fishing gear amounting to P71.16 million, 58 units of netting gear, and two payao fish aggregating devices.
The agency also handed out catfish, tilapia, and milkfish (bangus) fingerlings amounting to P379,000.
About P1.33 million was also allocated for the rehabilitation of BFAR’s Brackishwater Fish Farm, which supplies fingerlings in Misamis Occidental and its neighboring provinces.
BFAR Regional Director Edward B. Yasay said that the provision of motorized boats, fishing gear, and other equipment would provide the needed intervention for calamity-affected fisherfolk across the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.
“These are necessary not only in restoring the livelihood of (fisherfolks) in Region 10, but also to ensure the continuous supply of fish and other fishery products in the region,” Mr. Yasay added. — Adrian H. Halili
