Apalit fisherfolk get new motorized boats
APALIT - In an aim to uplift the fishing industry in this town, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region III (BFAR-3) distributed over the weekend motorized fishing boats to registered fishermen of this town.
BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz led the turnover of 27 units of motorized fiberglass plastic boats reinforced with 6.5 horsepower gasoline marine engines to Apalit Mayor Peter Nucom held Friday in Barangay Cansinala.
The motorized water vessels were simultaneously distributed to group of fishermen-beneficiaries coming from 12 barangays of this town identified by the Municipal Agricultural Office.
Cruz disclosed that BFAR-3 allocated some P945,000 or P35,000 each for the 27 units of the brand new 22-footer fishing boats, which were also equipped with underwater fittings and equipment.
In his speech, Cruz said that BFAR continue to equip local fishermen with the proper facilities to improve their livelihood and boost the aquatic production of this town that will soon invigorate the agriculture yield of the region.
“Ang BFAR ay mandated na iangat ang fishery sector sa pamamagitan ng mga ganitong proyekto na makatutulong rin sa ating mangingisda. Sa kooperasyon ng ating mga mangingisda at lokal na opisyal ay nari-reach natin ang ating ultimate goal (The BFAR is mandated to uplift the fishery sector through projects like this. With the cooperation of our fisherfolk, we can achieve the ultimate goal),” he said.
Aside from the motorized vessels, Cruz said that the construction of the Community Fishlanding Port funded by BFAR-3 is on the way and is expected to improve the marketing of seafoods is along the way.
Nucom, for his part, extended his gratitude to BFAR-3 for immediately granting the requests of local fishermen here and for continuously pouring in developmental and helpful projects to Apalit t ow n.
“Parang last year lang po noong ni-request ninyo itong mga bangka at ngayon nandito na at pwede na ninyong magamit. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa BFAR-3 sa pagbibigay prayoridad sa ating bayan (It was only last year that we requested the boats and now they are here for use of our fisherfolk. We thank BFAR-3 for giving us priority),” he said.
Cruz, meanwhile, urged the fishermen to help in the protection and revival of the Pampanga River, especially that it is considered their main source of l i vel i hood.
He reminded them to avoid engaging in illegal activities that will hurt the river and the environment and warned them of the possible sanctions should they be caught.
“Ingatan natin ang ating ilog. Kahit pa meron tayo ng lahat ng pasilidad, kung wala na ang ilog ay wala na din tayong pagkukuhana ng mga isda natin (Let’s take care of our river. Even if we have the facilities, if there will be no fish for us if there is no river),” he said.