Replacing the traditional bamboo rockets and wooden boats used in fishing, fisherfolk in the provinces of Abra, Apayao and Benguet received fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats as part of the BFAR’s F/B Pagbabago Livelihood Development Program.
“Each fishing boat has two beneficiaries to promote shared ownership and responsibilities to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of the boat,” Regional Director Lilibeth L. Signey said.
According to Delfin Oscar Alagao, a recipient from Tayum, Abra, “Our plan for the FRP boat is to share it in the whole barangay of Deet. The use of boat will not be limited for us alone (as recipients) since we already agreed upon that this boat shall also benefit others who wish to use it for fishing”.
The provinces of Abra and Apayao get five units each 20-footer FRP boats two units gill nets while Benguet has five units 23-footer motorized FRP boats (7.5 hp motor engine) and two units gill nets.
FRP boats are disaster-resilient that could last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance unlike the bamboo rockets or wooden boats that only lasts for three to six years. The fabrication of said fishing boats were done by the beneficiaries themselves through the scheme of “Bangka ko, Gawa ko”. In return, beneficiaries shall submit catch record to BFAR each time the boat is utilized for fishing.
“Fishing is our main source of living that is why we are thankful for the boat that was given. Sometimes we go fishing in a group of 20 to maximize time especially when it is really a season for fishing because we can carch as many as 40 kilograms from 9:am -4:00 PM”, Roberto Banggawan said, a recipient from barangay Ninoy Aquino (Tubang), Calanasan.
In Cordillera, a total of 315 units FRP boats were already distributed since 2017.** Rodelyn De Vera
