ILOILO — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Western Visayas has started the regional rollout of a national cash assistance program for fisherfolk, with 357 beneficiaries in Banate, Iloilo receiving financial aid amid rising fuel prices and worsening economic pressures on the fisheries sector.
The cash distribution, held on May 21 at the Banate Poblacion Gymnasium, marked the pilot implementation of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) for fisherfolk in Western Visayas.
Each beneficiary received P2,325 in unconditional financial assistance under the government’s P10-billion support program.
BFAR regional director Remia Aparri said the aid seeks to cushion the impact of soaring prices of fuel and agricultural inputs that continue to burden municipal fishermen and farmers.
“Wala na sang illegal fishing according to the MAO (Municipal Agriculture Office), which is a very good development for Banate,” Aparri said as she commended the municipality’s intensified efforts against illegal fishing and its push for sustainable fisheries management.
Aparri also praised the Banate local government unit for effectively implementing boat registration and licensing initiatives, which she said are essential in improving governance and operational standards in the fisheries sector.
OIC mayor and Vice Mayor Felimon Iran and Municipal Agriculturist Sanly Galvez attended the distribution activity and thanked BFAR for its continuing support to the town’s fisherfolk sector.
Representatives from the office of Cong. Ferjenel Biron of the 4th District also joined the activity to show support for the assistance initiative aimed at helping local fishing communities cope with economic challenges.
Members of the Banate Municipal Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council (MFARMC) and the Municipal Agriculture Office assisted in validating beneficiaries and disseminating information about the assistance program.
BFAR Region 6 said around 38,300 fisherfolk from different provinces and municipalities across Western Visayas are expected to benefit from the continuing rollout of the assistance program in the region.
The PAFFP is a national government initiative intended to provide unconditional financial assistance to farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and fisherfolk enrolled in the BoatR system./PN
