BFAR releases P33M cash aid for typhoon victims to Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has turned over P33 million financial assistance to the provincial government of Cebu for the rehabilitation of seaweed and aquafarms in the northern towns that were damaged by super typhoon Yolanda last year.

BFAR-7 director Andres Bojos handed over the check yesterday to Vice Governor Agnes Magpale at the Capitol. The amount would be used to purchase seaweed seedlings.

Bojos said that they would have to source the seaweed seedlings from Zamboanga since there is no enough supply in the region.

“We will get it from Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga. But ang mga materials, ari ra i-purchase,” he said.

The Capitol and the BFAR national office signed an agreement in December last year to assist the local government units in the rehabilitation of the aquaculture industry and enhance the livelihood of fish farmers.

Out of  the P33 million assistance for Cebu, P15 million is for seaweeds rehabilitation, P12 million for fish cage/pens and fingerlings, P6 million is for fishing gears and “payaw.”

Under the Memorandum of  Agreement, the Province of Cebu is expected to provide 20 percent counterpart funds to cover administrative operations and other incidental expenses, in cash or in kind.

Bojos said BFAR has already identified 2,500 beneficiaries of the fishing materials. There are also more than 200 new boats that are set to be distributed.

Atleast 250 fishing boats were initially distributed to the fisherfolk in Bantayan Island during the recent visit of  Pre-sident Benigno Aquino III.

“We will continue to do the rehabilitation until such time all fisherfolks with damaged boats can go back to their livelihood. We are in fast track mode. We have to restore back the livelihood of  the fisherfolks,” Bojos said. — (FREEMAN)