QUEZON, January 25, 2024 –  The Barangay Silangan Fisherfolk Association (BSFA) recently opened a fishing supplies store to support local fisherfolk and boost community economic empowerment. The store, funded by the members’ savings and assistance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Special Area for Agricultural Development (BFAR-SAAD) Program, offers affordable fishing supplies such as hooks, lines, and nets.

After a month of operation, the BSFA team, led by Mr. Roderick Bantillo, conducted a stock inventory and financial check. The store has been making an average daily sale of Php 2,000, with a capital of Php 10,000. The funds were initially sourced from the members’ savings, and the store’s financial records are regularly checked for accuracy.

Before the store opened, members received training on basic inventory and bookkeeping to ensure smooth operations. The store management reports to Mr. Bantillo, with technical assistance from Mr. Eduardo P. Azuelo. Financial records are kept transparently at the store, including receipts from suppliers in Lucena City and Gumaca, Quezon.

Despite challenges like adverse weather and the lack of a computer for transactions, the BSFA persisted. Construction delays and the absence of technology led to a manual pen-and-paper system for financial records. The association rented a lot near the barangay road for accessibility, funded by monthly contributions.

The BSFA obtained accreditation from the Sangguniang Bayan of Quezon, Quezon, on November 6, 2023. Plans involve meeting requirements for the Mayor’s Business Permit and registering the business with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to legalize operations, reflecting the association’s commitment to community standing and business expansion.

Writer: Lhara Jane S. Endozo, BFAR-SAAD CALABARZON Information Officer
Photos by: Eduardo P. Azuelo, BFAR-SAAD CALABARZON Staff