Cebu PB urging support for banca donation drive

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) has asked the Cebu business sector to support the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) rehabilitation initiative "Ahon!  Sampung Libong Bangka para sa Dalawampung Libong Pamilya."

The PB supports the program, which aims to gather 10,000 fishing boats or bancas in three months to help rebuild the livelihood of some 20,000 fisherfolk-families affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

Through a resolution sponsored by Board Member Thadeo Ouano, the PB requested the chambers of commerce and industry in Cebu to encourage members to join in the said initiative.

Ouano reiterated the need for BFAR and partner government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), private sector, and individual volunteers to work together in addressing this immediate need of the fisherfolks.

The Province of Cebu has already laid out its post-Yolanda rehabilitation plan, which includes livelihood assistance for affected fishermen.     

Three weeks after super typhoon Yolanda hit Visayas last Nov. 8, which impaired fishing operations, DA-BFAR launched in Cebu a rehabilitation initiative that would ensure immediate livelihood assistance to distressed fishing communities.

BFAR data shows that 5,995 fisherfolks in Cebu have lost their means of livelihood and 1,836 motorized and 704 non-motorized bancas were reportedly damaged or destroyed by the super typhoon.

For its campaign, BFAR has already earmarked P50 million, the bulk of which would be used to build an initial 3,000 bancas. The rest of the amount would go to the construction of 350 units of shallow-water payaos, which the bureau would install to provide fishermen with targeted fishing areas.

A six-meter fishing boat is estimated to cost P6,000, and P15,000 if equipped with a motor engine.

BFAR clarified that it would not accept cash contributions; monetary assistance would have to go through participating non-profit organizations based in strategic locations.

To ensure transparency in the flow of contributions, BFAR would set up a special Ahon! Initiative webpage, where the public can monitor how much assistance is collected, where it goes, and who receives the bancas.

As to the selection of fisherfolk-beneficiaries, the bureau would make use of data collected through the Fisherfolk Registration System (FRS), the national database for municipal fisherfolk registration launched last July. (FREEMAN)