CAPIZ – A total of 3,830 fisherfolk from seven municipalities in Capiz received cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) in June 2026, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Regional Office 6 (DA-BFAR 6) said.
The financial assistance aims to help sustain the livelihoods of fisherfolk amid rising fuel costs and other economic challenges affecting the fisheries sector.
The beneficiaries were distributed across the province as follows: Pontevedra, 729; President Roxas, 379; Panay, 952; Roxas City, 429; Sapian, 234; Ivisan, 285; and Pilar, 822.
BFAR-6 said the number of beneficiaries reflects the continued need for government support among fishing communities, which play a vital role in ensuring food security and contributing to the local economy.
“Salamat sa gobyerno kag sa amon nabaton nga bulig. May inugbakal na ako bugas kag pangdugang sa akon fishing gear kag pambalon sang akon mga anak sa eskwela,” said Rante Ondillo, 50, a fisherman from Barangay San Pedro, Pontevedra, during an interview with BFAR-6.
Ondillo, who has been fishing for three decades, said the financial assistance would allow him to buy rice, repair or improve his fishing gear, and help cover his children’s school expenses.
The distribution of assistance was attended by local officials and community leaders, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening the fisheries sector, improving livelihoods, and enhancing food security in the province.
Officials said the assistance was made possible through the fisherfolk’s registration under the government’s beneficiary database, which helps ensure that aid reaches qualified recipients and allows authorities to better identify their needs.
BFAR-6 said the program provides immediate financial relief while strengthening the partnership between the government and fishing communities.
The agency added that the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to easing the impact of rising fuel prices on fisherfolk while helping ensure the sustainability of the fisheries sector and the country’s food security./PN
