The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) has provided more than P14 million in fisheries and aquaculture assistance to coastal communities in Sorsogon, including fish cages, fiberglass boats and seaweed-processing equipment.
In Bacon District, the Triple B Fisherfolk Association received P2.99 million worth of assistance consisting of three high-density polyethylene (HDPE) marine fish cages, feeds and fingerlings, a floating house and a fiberglass banca.
The cages will form part of a 588-hectare mariculture zone and are projected to produce 18 metric tons of milkfish annually.
Under the FB Pagbabago Program, the DA also distributed 20 36-foot fiberglass boats worth P4.02 million to registered fisherfolk in Sorsogon City, Pilar, Castilla, Magallanes, Donsol, Casiguran AND BULAN.
The boats are expected to generate about 88 metric tons of fish catch annually and provide fisherfolk with larger vessels for fishing operations.
The assistance also covers post-harvest facilities.
Under the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program, the Samahang Mandaragat ng Barangay San Fernando in Prieto Diaz received a P1.03-million floating dryer to improve seaweed processing.
The Bogña Self Help Group, meanwhile, received P5.96 million for four 20-by-20-meter HDPE seaweed cages to support commercial seaweed production.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the assistance is intended to address production and post-harvest needs while helping coastal families build more sustainable livelihoods.
“We are moving beyond quick fixes by pairing modern mariculture and sturdy vessels with critical post-harvest assets to permanently lift our coastal families out of vulnerability,” Tiu Laurel said.
