To increase livelihood opportunities and income of fishers in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the CARAGA region dispersed 60,000 bangus and 70,000 carp fingerlings in Lake Mainit as part of the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Lawa or BASIL Program.
The initiative, a brainchild of Secretary Manny Piñol, seeks to address the dwindling resources and increase the volume of fish catch gathered from major lakes and river basins across the country.
The fingerlings’ dispersal conducted on January 12, 2018 is the third in a series of restocking which also aims to preserve Lake Mainit’s endemic fish species “Pijanga”.
Sec. Piñol was in Surigao del Norte to extend government assistance to the farmers and fishers of the town of Mainit, as well agri-stakeholders of Jabonga and Kitcharao of Agusan del Norte.
During the visit, Piñol, together with officials of the regional DA and BFAR distributed agri-fishery assistance including three units of 30-footer double engine patrol boats to strengthen and enhance surveillance measures against illegal fishing activities of the aforementioned municipalities.
Aside from the patrol boats, Piñol also awarded 75 units of 14-footer paddle boats and 50 units of 20-footer motorized bancas to 175 local fishers.
The Secretary also distributed farm inputs including coffee and cacao seedlings, vegetable seeds, fertilizers and animal vaccines, among others, to the local government of Mainit and various farmers’ organizations.
In addition, he also turned-over 60,000 abaca plantlets from the Philippine Fiber Development Authority, and indemnity checks amounting to P265,568 from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
Total interventions amounted to P7.98 million.
Piñol also committed an initial of P5-million each for the municipalities of Mainit and Jabonga under the PLEA program.
PLEA or the Production Loan Easy Access program being managed by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council is a no-collateral credit window made available to legit and genuine farmers.
“You may avail of P15,000 per hectare PLEA loan at 6% interest under one condition only—you must register under the Juan Magsasaka ID system so we’ll know that you really are a farmer,” the Secretary stressed.
“No ID, no loan, that is our only requirement and of course you have to pay what you owe the government,” he added.
In line with this, Piñol instructed experts from the ACPC to conduct technical workshops so farmers will understand the step-by-step procedures.
“We will provide you what you need so you can improve your production and livelihood, because your government cares for you,” he ended. ### (odarodriguez/DA-AFID)
