493 fisherfolk and wives receive FRP boats, livelihood support from BFAR and MisOcc LGU

 

Misamis Occidental — A total of 493 fisherfolk from various coastal communities in Misamis Occidental have received fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats through the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR)’s “Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko” program. Alongside this, recipients also underwent hands-on training in boatbuilding to enhance their technical skills and livelihood capacity.

In a show of inclusive support, the fisherfolks’ spouses were likewise provided with ₱10,000 each as start-up capital by the Provincial Government, under the leadership of Governor Henry S. Oaminal, enabling them to engage in small-scale enterprises such as fish trading. Beneficiaries also participated in a financial management orientation to promote sustainable use of the livelihood assistance.

This initiative is a collaborative effort between BFAR, the Provincial Government, to strengthen coastal livelihoods and empower fishing families.

In his message, Governor Oaminal emphasized the unique strategy behind the initiative: "We’ve made it a point to empower the wives to help monitor and support their husbands’ fishing activities. The wives will track whether their husbands went out to sea, what they caught, and will manage the income. That’s why we provided the capital to the wives—for better oversight and to ensure that the family benefits from this livelihood."

He added, "Every two weeks, the Provincial Agriculture Office will monitor income reports. The capital must remain intact, and profits will be recorded. At the end of each quarter, the Provincial Government will match the profits earned. This is part of our commitment to sustainable livelihood development."

Governor Oaminal also stressed the importance of unity and shared vision in achieving long-term progress:

"Today’s activity is a reflection of our Asenso leadership and our mission to achieve 'Asenso Misamis Occidental.' This is not just about building roads or infrastructure, but about building communities where Misamisnons can live peacefully, prosperously, and happily."

The program, he said, is the result of strong collaboration among the local government, the national government, both congressional districts, supporting senators, and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Meanwhile, BFAR-10 Provincial Fisheries Officer-in-Charge Virginia Valde explained that this intervention was a direct response to the province’s 2022–2023 damage assessment following shearline disturbances.

This program is based on what our fisherfolk experienced in past years. The 493 beneficiaries affected by the shearline will now have a renewed means of livelihood. " We hope nga kini nga intervention makahatag ug dugang panginabuhian sa atong mga mananagat sa Misamis Occidental. We hope nga kini mapahimuslan ug mkahatag pod kini ug dugang kadasig sa atong mga mananagat nga makasuporta sa ilang pamilya," Valde said.

The distribution of FRP boats and livelihood assistance provides coastal families in Misamis Occidental with reliable fishing tools and start-up capital, promoting sustainable income, economic recovery, and community resilience—supporting the province’s long-term development goals for a peaceful, progressive, and inclusive future.(SN/PGMO)

Under DA-BFAR’s “Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko” program, 493 fisherfolk received FRP boats and boatbuilding training. The Provincial Government, led by Governor Henry Oaminal, also gave ₱10,000 start-up capital to their spouses for small businesses, along with financial management training.