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| Bianzely Burdeos
F
ilipino fishermen started setting sail and dropping their fishing nets again after the population grew to 60 percent according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) on April 19.
27% FISHERIES
PRODUCTION
According to Philippine Space Agency
The government’s presence and assistance pushed fishermen to get back trade in the country’s waters, as well as the enhancement of fishermen’s operations. “I don’t have specific data, but based on our estimations, the rise is between 50 and 60 percent, which we attribute to the presence of both BFAR and the Coast Guard. It is critical for our Scarborough Shoal fishermen to feel the presence of the government,” said BFAR spokesperson
Nazario Briguera.
He added that to further support the fishermen, LAYAG-WPS (Livelihood Activities to Enhance Fisheries Yields and Economic Gains from the West Philippine Sea) will be implemented in regions 1, 3 and Mimaropa with PHP 2 billion allocated to distribute big boats, basic post harvest equipment, including skills enhancement, capacity building for our fishers. “BFAR emerges whether
there is conflict or tension. Our mandate remains unchanged: to aid our fishermen. We are unaffected by this (China-related stress),” Briguera added. In line with this, the livelihood intervention offered during the LAYAG-WPS launch in Subic, Zambales reached PHP 60 million. The BFAR has at least 30 floating resources to carry out its job of giving assistance to fishermen, he stated. ;