Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez led the ceremonial turnover of 26 fiberglass fishing boats that cost more than P1 million to fisherfolk of Victorias City, Negros Occidental, on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The turnover of the fiberglass fishing boats at the Feeder Port in Barangay VI-A, Victorias, was made possible through the city government’s Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB) Project, in collaboration with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
BFAR turned over the fiberglass fishing boats to seven fisherfolk associations and two cooperatives in Victorias City.
Each boat is worth approximately P70, 000 and is equipped with engines and accessories, a press release from Victorias City said Monday.
The assistance was extended not only to local fishing communities but also to families heavily affected by typhoons Egay and Odette.
Benitez, in his message, congratulated the beneficiaries and emphasized the city’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing its agriculture sector which is crucial to maintaining food security and sustainability in the locality.
He also said the city government has increased its budget allocation for agriculture in 2024.
This shall pave the way for more development programs for the local farmers and fisherfolk communities, including livestock production, he said.
Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III and councilors Deilen Hofileña, Dexter Senido, Warlito Undar, and Richard Julius Sablan also joined the turnover rites.
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council and Boulevard Small Fisherfolks Association chairperson, Karen Beraye, thanked the city government on behalf of the beneficiaries for the boats.
Cleaners and Small Fishermen Association, Pagatpatan Fisherfolks Association, Sool Fisherfolks Association, Hopeshine Consumers Cooperative, Fishermen’s Partners Producers Cooperative, Boulevard Fisherfolks Association, Barangay VI-A Women’s Fisherfolks Association, United Fisherfolks Association, and Victorias Fisherfolks Association of Barangay IX were among the fisherfolk associations who received the fishing boats.*