Gov't allocates $38.23 M to help typhoon-hit fishing industry

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government will release P1.71 billion ($38.23 million) to support the implementation of the Rehabilitation Plan for fishing communities in Central Philippines struck by Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Yolanda, last November, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said here today.

"Part of the (Aquino) Administration's reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for Yolanda-affected areas is the restoration of the communities' primary means of livelihood,"  DBM Secretary Florencio Abad said of the allocation which will first be sent to the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

According to the department, of the total amount, P500 million ($11.18 million) will be used for rehabilitating BFAR facilities in the disaster areas and repairing the bureau's official vessels, which sustained severe damage in the height of Typhoon Yolanda.

Meanwhile, another P405.7 million ($9.07 million) will be channeled to various aid activities for the region's aquaculture initiatives, including seaweed nurseries, mariculture farms, and fingerling distribution.

Finally, the remaining P800 million ($17.88 million) will be used to support the provision of fishing boats and fishing gears for Haiyan-affected fishing communities.

"The work of rehabilitating disaster-stricken communities goes beyond supplying relief goods and ensuring the restoration of shelter and basic utilities for affected communities... In this case, the release will allow us to help fishing communities regain their toehold in the wake of Typhoon Yolanda," Abad said.