AGUSAN DEL SUR, December 23, 2021 – Eighty (80) fisherfolk families from 6 municipalities in the boundaries of Agusan Marsh received Php 2.2 million worth of FY 2021 Fishing Livelihood Assistance Project from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program.

The project, which was distributed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) – Region 13, aims to enhance the livelihood of the fishers through provision of disaster-resilient fishing gears.

Each family received a 17-foot fiberglass reinforced plastic paddleboat, 100-meter gill net, and a set of hook and lines.

The distribution started on November 3 in barangays Caimpogan and Borbon, San Francisco where each community received 10 boats and equipment. The distribution was completed on December 14 in Rosario and Loreto.Table 1. Municipalities that received Fishing Livelihood Assistance Project

Municipality	Distribution Date	No. of Beneficiaries
San Francisco	November 3, 2021	20
Talacogon	December 1, 2021	10
Esperanza	December 7, 2021	10
Bunawan	December 7, 2021	20
Rosario	December 14, 2021	10
Loreto	December 14, 2021	10

One of the beneficiaries, Restituto Valencia Jr. from Bunawan, expressed his gratitude. He said, “This assistance is indeed timely as fishing in Agusan Marsh coincides with the rainy season from December to February, and will definitely improve our fishing activities.”

SAAD Regional Focal Person Edgardo P. Balambao, Officer-in-Charge Provincial Fishery Officer Bimbo C. Lagare, and local government officials facilitated the turnover activities. ###

Writer: Bimbo C. Lagare, OIC BFAR Provincial Fishery Officer
Source: PFO Agusan del Sur