THE Department of Agriculture (DA), through its attached agency the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Davao Region, is set to give fisherfolks who benefited from their project of 301 fiberglass fishing boat a three-month incentive amounting to P3,000 per month as "Bantay Laot" starting this year during the closed season.
In a press conference on Monday, January 2, at The Annex events center of SM City Davao, BFAR Davao Regional Director Fatma Idris said the guidelines of the distribution of the incentives for the fisherfolks in Toril, Davao City last August was already approved by DA secretary Emmanuel Piñol.
The closed season for fishing in Davao Gulf is from June 1 to August 31 every year. This is their way to conserve marine resources, to secure the spawning period of pelagic fishes in the gulf and continuously implement measures to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Idris clarified that they would only give the incentives provided that the beneficiaries have done their part and participated in the activities that they have required like mangrove planting, coastal clean-up and whether their boat is still under their care.
"We are orienting the beneficiaries na huwag silang magseselos bakit ang isa binigyan ng P3,000, 'yong isa hindi (they should not get jealous why the one was given P3,000 while the other one was not) because kailangan meron silang accomplishment para maging basis ng aming incentive (they need to have an accomplishment so we will have the basis to get the incentive)," Idris said.
As part of their preparation, BFAR has already collaborated with the Davao City Fishery Office as it will identify the beneficiaries who completed the activities and has accomplished their role as the guardians or sea watchers of the Davao Gulf.
BFAR, thus, is positive that illegal fishing activities in the city will be deterred and marine species will be protected since these fisherfolks will be an auxiliary personnel who will report their activities and help in securing the cleanliness of the water resources.