BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City government, in partnership with the Office of the Lone District Representative, is stepping up efforts to support the fisherfolk sector through disaster preparedness training and continued biodiesel assistance.
The initiative aims to strengthen both safety and livelihood amid rising fuel costs.
Through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the city recently conducted a series of disaster preparedness trainings for fisherfolk, their families, and barangay personnel across coastal communities.
Initiated under the directive of Mayor Greg Gasataya, the program focused on equipping participants with essential lifesaving skills, including basic life support and first aid, enabling them to respond effectively during emergencies.
CDRRMO head Dr. Anna Maria Laarni Pornan said the initiative is designed to build more resilient households and communities, particularly in disaster-prone coastal areas.
“We look forward to our trainees applying what they have learned during emergencies to help save lives,” she said, urging participants to continue practicing their skills and serve as community volunteers when needed.
The trainings covered several barangays, including Tangub, Singcang, Punta Taytay, Banago, Sum-ag, and Pahanocoy. The final session was held on April 30 at the Liga ng mga Barangay Hall, with participants from Barangays 1, 2, 3, 10, 14, and 16.
Parallel to these capacity-building efforts, Congressman Alfredo Abelardo Benitez has continued distributing biodiesel assistance to fisherfolk to help ease the burden of high fuel prices.
On May 2, fisherfolk from Barangays Pahanocoy and Punta Taytay each received 50 gallons of biodiesel support.
In addition, Benitez personally provided P1,000 in cash assistance to each attendee.
The lawmaker encouraged fisherfolk to register and secure their fisherfolk identification cards (IDs) to facilitate faster and more efficient distribution of future assistance.
In April, around 600 liters of biofuel were also distributed to beneficiaries from Barangays Singcang, Banago, and Barangay 1.
The program aims to help small-scale fisherfolk reduce operational costs as fuel prices remain elevated due to global tensions, particularly in the Middle East, which continue to impact local economies.
Benitez said the initiative goes beyond immediate relief, noting that plans are underway to improve long-term fuel access, including the possible establishment of a biodiesel processing facility in the area.
“Our fisherfolk continue to work hard every day, and it is important that we find ways to support them and sustain their livelihood,” he said.
Supporting the initiative, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has also called on food establishments and businesses to collect and donate used cooking oil for conversion into biodiesel.
The measure aims to promote sustainability while creating a steady, community-based fuel source for local fisherfolk.
Councilor Atty. Caesar Distrito, author of the measure, emphasized that the effort reflects a broader vision of turning waste into a valuable resource—one that not only addresses environmental concerns but also directly benefits vulnerable sectors./PN
