By Hilda Austria
The Philippines (PNA).- The Camaley Fisherfolk Association from Binmaley town became the first recipient of the provincial government’s fish processing livelihood project launched on Thursday.
Provincial Agriculture Officer Dalisay Moya, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said on Thursday the project is a mitigating measure to the effect of the massive river clean-up drive on marginal fisherfolk in the province.
“The massive river clean-up drive in 2007 to 2008 initiated by then Governor Amado Espino Jr., which sought to restore the pristine beauty of our river system, disturbed the livelihood of our fisherfolk as it displaced their structures situated on the rivers at that time,” Moya said.
She disclosed that Camaley fishermen, who are the main beneficiaries of the project, will use the fish processing facility of the provincial government in Libsong Fish Farm here, to produce deboned milkfish products, tinapa (smoked fish) and rellenong bangus (stuffed milkfish).
The facility has a smokehouse, freezer, cooler, and stainless tables that can be used by the group’s members in their fish processing, said Moya.
The group has also received a PHP50,000 soft loan from the province and fish processing kits. Moreover, she said, it is requesting for vacuum-packaging equipment.
Moya said the province, through Governor Amado Espino III, vowed to assist the fisherfolk in marketing their products.
“The milkfish supply of the 14 provincial-government-run hospitals in the province will be bought from them as told by Governor Espino. Also parts of their market are provincial government employees and other local government units,” she said.
Moya also encouraged other fisherfolk organizations to create livelihood projects and the provincial government will provide training, loans for capitalization and facility or equipment.
Aside from the main beneficiary, some 30 fisherfolk organizations were also present during the project’s launching program.
“We hope that we have inspired them to venture in other livelihood that is still related to what they do, since our governor wanted to expand this project to the whole province,” Moya said.
The livelihood venture is part of the province’s “Ilog Ko, Bilayen tan Aroen Ko (My River, I will Restore and Love) Livelihood Project”.
