The Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation has turned over 10 fiberglass boats to the fishermen who lost their pump boats during severe rainfall three weeks ago in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
The Negrense volunteers, who saw the DIGICAST NEGROS story on Sept. 18 about the plight of the fishermen, pledged to donate three boats for the fishermen who were affected by the calamity.
Three weeks later on Oct. 8, they turned over 10 fiberglass boats with engines in a ceremony at the city’s Poblacion Beach attended by Mayor Gina Montilla-Lizares and the affected fisherfolk.
Montilla-Lizares said that she is thankful to NVC for their quick response and generosity to the Sipalaynon fishermen.
“From an initial commitment of three boats, an influx of donations from NVC regular donors and kind-hearted individuals, NVC was able to deliver 10 units complete with engine and accessories”, the mayor said.
She also vowed that the city government would waive the licensing of the donated boats.
NVC President Millie Kilayko said the boats are made of fiberglass as they don’t use trees to save the environment, adding that one boat is equivalent to cutting one tree.
The boat donation is part of the NVC’s Peter Project that has already provided 5,025 boats to fishermen date, with more than 4,000 donated after Typhoon Yolanda.
Among the donors of the boats were former NENACO employees, an anonymous couple celebrating a wedding anniversary, a construction firm, and private individuals.*