BFAR, CamSur give motorized boats to indigent fishermen

“Dati, nagsisibid-sibid ako. Minsan na naglawod akong maalon, nalubog si Bangka ko. Ginibo ko, naglangoy ako pagilid, dae ko binayaan si sibid-sibid ko makagilid lang. Duwang oras ako duman,” recalled Honesto Estrada, a resident of Barangay Tinalmud Nuevo, Libmanan. Honesto is one the fishermen in his area who are still using sibid-sibid, or small fishing boats that can carry a load of 2 people maximum.

Apart from being unsafe for fishermen and their load, it also has certain limits when it comes to mobility. “Mahirap po gamitin ang sibid-sibid kasi pa-laot ka pa lang, gamit mo na ‘yung lakas mo sa pagsagwan. Tapos pag inabot ka ng malakas na hangin, mas mahirap. Tatabi ka na nun. Wala ka nang kita. Ang iba, pinapadpad pa. Ang iba, inaabot pa ng hatinggabi sa laot kahit araw dapat nakatabi na para lang makapagpahina ng hangin,” shared Dennis Ygusquiza from Barangay Tinalmud Viejo.

Honesto and Dennis are among the fishermen who received motorized boats from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, on October 16, 2019.

Governor Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte and Congressman Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafurte personally distributed the said motorized boats to the 18 beneficiaries of the program. Being one of the top priorities of their governance, agriculture has always received support from Gov. Migz and Cong. Lray through the provision of farming and fisheries equipment to farmers and fishermen and the various free trainings and seminars afforded to them.

“Hindi naming akalain, talagang tuwang-tuwa kami. Nung nakita ko yung bangka, hindi na ako mapakali sa tuwa. Ganito pala kako ‘yun kalalaki,” gleefully shared Dennis, who raves about the potential income that this motorized boat may bring to him and his family. “Minsan, nakakahuli ng 3-5 kilong isda sa sibid-sibid, pero kung ganitong may makina, ‘yung malalayong maraming isda mararating na. Baka mag-triple pa yung huli namin,” he added.

Aside from earning more from fishing, the motorized boat also proved life changing for another beneficiary, Roselito Muceros from Barangay Bahao, who earns his living, not only from fishing but also from touring tourists in the islands in their area via boat ride.

He shared, “Mayo po akong sadiring bangka. Nakikiibahan lang po ako sa sakong pinsan. Nagbabiyahe rin po ako sa isla ng mga turista. Pagkumita po kami ng P1,000 binibigyan naman po ako ng P300.” But because of the motorized boat he received, Roselito can now earn higher than before. “Ang plano ko po, mapa byahe po ako sa isla ng mga turista. Pag mayong byahe, sa paglawod, sa pag-banwit naman,” he shared his future plans.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Barte, a fisherman who is also the Chief Tanod of Barangay Bahao, also received a motorized boat which he plans to use not only in fishing. He shared that this motorized boat will also serve as his service to patrol around their barangay.

“Double purpose po itong Bangka na pigtao sa muya. Pwede ko po ito gamiton sa pagpapatrolya kan mga barangay pulis. Kapag minsan po, sa mga sitio, nagduduman po kami, “mayo po kaming service.” Ngunyan po, dawa po sa hara-harayo, makakaduman po kami ta may service na po kami,” he proudly shared.

BOAT BENEFICIARIES. Governor Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte and Congressman Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafurte personally distributed the motorized boats to the 18 beneficiaries of the program. pgomultimedia101619