THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) turned over closed to P7 million Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs) and support facilities to boost the economic livelihood of fisher folks in two towns in Basilan province.
The beneficiary-towns are fisher folks in the municipalities of Tabuan Lasa and Lantawan.
The P3 million-worth CFLC in Tabuan Lasa was unveiled on Tuesday, May 23. It was built in the village of Lanawan proper.
BFAR-Armm Director Janice Desamito-Musali, who led the turnover of the CFLC in Tabuan Lasa town, said the construction of the center is in line with the program of President Rodrigo Duterte to provide livelihood to fisher folks in the country.
Musali said the CFLC will serve as the “Bagsakan Center,” where fisher folks could sell their catch to the fish traders.
He also turned over 10 units of fiber glass motorized bancas powered by 6.5 horse power each, aluminum fish tables and seaweed farm inputs.
Each of the motorized banca, including a set of gill net, is worth P41,000 or for a total of P410,000 for the 10 units.
The 20 beneficiaries of the 10 units motorized bancas were also awarded P5,000 as a startup capital.
The beneficiaries are members of the Lanawan Fishers and Traders Association.
Musali said that each motorized banca will be owned by two fisher folks so it could not be easily sold to other people.
Tabuan Lasa Mayor Muctar Junaid advised the beneficiaries to put to good use of the CFLC and support facilities given them by the bureau.
Junaid said the completion of the CFLC will also help spur economic development in his municipality.
Tabuan Lasa consists of four islands comprising of 12 villages with at least 25,000 population, most of whom rely on fishing and seaweed farming as source of living.
On Wednesday, May 24, Basilan Provincial Fishery Officer Hadji Alano Alihuddin led the turnover of the P3 million CFLC in the village of Atong-Atong, Lantawan town.
The fisher folks organization in Lantawan also received 10 units of fiber glass motorboats powered by a 6.5 horse power engine each, gill nets, P5,000 start-up capital, and seaweed support materials like their counterparts in Tabuan Lasa.
Lantawan Municipal Administrator Tahira Ismael said the CFLC will boost the livelihood of the fisher folks in the municipality.
Alihuddin and the Municipal Governments will monitor the economic activities of the beneficiaries to ensure sustainability of the projects.
Musali said BFAR-Armm allocated P156 million to construct CFLCs this year across the region, preferably in coastal municipalities. (Bong Garcia/VoxPop Philippines)