BPI Foundation, RAFI turn over 41 fishing boats to fisherfolks in Southern Cebu
THE Christmas spirit was deeply felt by local fisherfolks in Southern Cebu a year and four days after the rage of Typhoon Odette. Dedicated to support local fishermen and promote community resilience, BPI Foundation Inc. (BPIF), in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., through its Humanitarian Disaster Preparedness and Response (RAFI HDPR) program, donated 41 motorized fiber glass fishing boats to selected fisherfolk associations from Sibonga, Barili, Pinamungajan, and Alcantara, Cebu last December 19 and 20, 2022.
The Balik Bugsay Program provides fishing boats to support the livelihood of fisherfolk communities that have been heavily affected by Typhoon Odette. After thorough review, assessment, and interviews conducted by the RAFI HDPR, the Simala Bantay Dagat Association in Simala, Sibonga received five boats; Hugpong Sa Mananagat sa Tajao in Tajao, Pinamungajan received six boats; and the Alcantara Fisherfolks Association, Pananas Fisherfolk Association, Nagkahiusang Mananagat sa Palanas Lawis Baybay II Fisherfolk Association, all in Palanas, Alcantara received 10 boats. The Guinwanon United and Active Peoples Organization and Minolos Small Fishermen’s Association, both from Japitan, Barili received 20 boats.
After a year of struggling to be back in the waters, the fishermen can now set sail in their own fishing boats.
For Jimmy Eseguerra, a recipient of one of the fishing boats in Sibonga Cebu, the aftermath of Typhoon Odette left him in a difficult and disheartening situation. His fishing boat was completely destroyed after strong waves caused by Typhoon Odette rammed into his home, leaving him unable to provide for his family while facing an uncertain future. He had to settle with borrowing other people's boats or joining them in fishing trips just to get by.
“I am filled with great happiness because I am one of the beneficiaries who are granted the opportunity to recover our livelihood. Through this help, we won’t have to join in other people’s fishing trips, and we can finally revive our association’s funds. We are greatly happy that despite the immense damage, God has been looking out for us and has provided us these blessings,” he said.
As the social development arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, BPIF, through the Balik Bugsay project, hopes to pursue their advocacy of Bayanihan, partnering with like-minded institutions like RAFI, to equip local associations and individuals to be economically disaster resilient by providing them with tools to recover and restore their livelihood.
“We in the BPI Foundation, together with RAFI, are happy with this opportunity to give you tools for livelihood that will help move forward after the typhoon. It is our aspiration for every family to progress, including the fisherfolk who greatly contribute to our community and economy,” said Juvylyn Reniva, Associate Director of BPI Foundation.
Similarly, with its ongoing initiatives for rehabilitation and recovery, RAFI HDPR continues to support different sectors in the community who still have not recovered from the aftereffects of Typhoon Odette.
“At RAFI, we have a saying that goes, Padayon sa Pagbugsay! Today, we are here to serve as a bridge from BPI Foundation to you for this Balik Bugsay project, bringing in these fishing boats for you to keep paddling and revive your livelihood. We hope that with the use of these fishing boats, we will see a flourishing fishing association and a vibrant community. We see this as the beginning of the support that we can further give through the advocacies that we have for the community,” said Pet John Rom, HDPR Head.