The Department of Agriculture (DA) has turned over P69.5-million worth of livelihood support to some 350 fisherfolk families in Palawan.
DA Secretary Manny Piñol led the distribution of 96 units of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats in Brooke’s Point, Palawan.
The boats, each with a built-in ice cooler and costing P180,000, from part of the P44.33 million in fishery assistance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources delivered to the island province.
Seventy fishing boats will be shared by 350 families or five families per boat to “ensure that the fishing vessels will be used for fishing activities and will be maximized by more than one individual,” Piñol said.
Twenty-four units are earmarked for 24 local government units in Palawan, with the remaining two boats to be used as patrol boats for the Bantay Palawan initiative. (Ellalyn de Vera-Ruiz)