ISABEL, Leyte,
March 18 (PNA) –- The Chinese government has provided 30 motorized fishing
boats to local organizations and other livelihood support in three western
Leyte towns, benefiting nearly 8,000 residents in poor coastal communities.
Hundreds of
residents and officials gathered at a covered court on Friday morning for the
presentation of livelihood programs to fisher folks and turnover of fishing
boats.
“We noticed some
heart wrecking fact, that more than two years after (super typhoon) Yolanda,
some families lacked fishing boats, gears and working opportunities. Many have
resorted to renting boats or became fish workers that barely make ends meet,”
said Yu Jun, Chinese Embassy first secretary and director of political section.
“So our embassy
decided on an additional PHP1.5 million donation. Fortunate enough, we were
able to join hands with CARET and the local governments to utilize the donation
in the most efficient way.”
CARET (Center for
Agrarian Reform Empowerment and Transportation, Inc.) and the Department of
Agriculture are the two partners of the Embassy of the People's Republic of
China in this undertaking.
Beneficiaries are
fishermen and their families in the super typhoon-hit towns of Isabel, Merida
and Palompon.
The 18-foot
motorized boat is made of fiber glass. Each unit costs PHP20,000.
“Although our
contribution can’t fully meet the actual need, it is a reflection of the
profound feelings of friendship among the Chinese people for the Philippine
people. I’m convinced that such feeling would remain unshakable and become even
firmer as time goes by,” Yu said.
CARET executive
director Ferdinand Buenviaje explained that the project not only provides
livelihood assets, but mobilizing the community to protect depleting marine
resources.
“The continuation
of livelihood support is paired with a package of institutional development,
fisherfolk community awareness, advocacy action and engagement with local and
national government agencies,” Buenviaje said.
Rondel Namocatcat,
45, of Bantigue village in this town thanked the Chinese government for the
boats as this will restore his income to pre-Yolanda level.
Namocatcat’s
fishing boat was damaged by the super typhoon in November 2013. In the past two
years, he’s been borrowing a boat from his cousin, reducing his working days to
only three days from six days a week.
“I used to earn
PHP500 daily before Yolanda, but now my income dropped to PHP100 every time I
go fishing. I am only allowed to borrow my cousin’s boat up to three hours in
one day. As a result, I’ve been struggling to support my five children,” he
shared.
Isabel Mayor
Gregorio Cerillo lauded the Chinese government for its post-Yolanda support to
locals.
“The outpouring of
help after Yolanda is unexpected, especially from China, but we are grateful
for reaching out to our fisherfolks,” Cerillo said.
LAP/SQM
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