500 boats given to Yolanda victim-fishermen

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — A total of 500 boats, repaired by the government and refitted with motor engines, were turned over yesterday to as many fishermen who were victims of the typhoon Yolanda.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, administered the turnover of the boats, during a ceremony held at the Balyu-an Amphitheater, this city, fronting the coastline near the City Hall.

Alcala, who met with the fishermen, was with Bureau of  Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) officials, led by national director Asis Perez.

The fishermen-beneficiaries were from the towns of Sta. Rita and Basey, both in (Western) Samar; Palo, Tanauan and Tolosa, all in Leyte, and from this city.

Perez later told reporters that the 500 boats were part of the 10,506 boats that BFAR had distributed to the typhoon-affected fishermen in Regions 6, 7, 8 and 4B, under the bureau’s  AHON program that was designed to rehabilitate the fishing industry in these areas.

The BFAR official said the project was carried out under a public-private partnership, involving donors who provided the motorboat engines and shouldered the cost of the repairs of the boats damaged by the typhoon. (FREEMAN)