City Council greenlights FRP boat grant for Tablon fisherfolk

THE 21^st City Council led by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez has enacted an ordinance authorizing Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy to sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the provision of a 38-foot motorized Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boat and four units of pakura to the fisherfolk of Barangay Tablon.

The assistance forms part of the F/B Pagbabago Livelihood Assistance Development Program of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Region 10 (DA-BFAR 10) which aims to revitalize coastal economies and empower small-scale fisherfolk communities in the country.

Under the MOA, DA-BFAR 10 will deploy technical staff and FRP boat specialists to supervise the construction, conduct trainings on boat operation, maintenance, and inventory management.

The City Government, on one hand, will assist in validating beneficiaries, identifying construction and training sites, and supporting program implementation.

For its part, the 2nd District Congressional Office will coordinate with both the City Government and BFAR in beneficiary selection and implementation support.

The Tablon Active Small Fisherfolk Organization, as direct beneficiaries, has committed to take part in the construction, undergo boat repair and maintenance training, and ensure the project is used strictly for legal and environmentally sustainable fishing activities.

They will also actively cooperate in BFAR’s monitoring and evaluation efforts.

As of 2024, the F/B Pagbabago program has been rolled out in various coastal provinces nationwide with 846 fiberglass boats distributed, benefitting 839 individuals and 68 groups. (FDC/SP)