Phl Navy conducts dialogue with Bolinao fisherfolks

By APRIL M. MONTES

 

BOLINAO – The Philippine Navy through Naval Task Force 40, in partnership with other government agencies and the local government of Bolinao, recently conducted a dialogue with the local fisherfolks in this town.

Lt. Archie Adanza, information officer of the Philippine Navy, said the activity imparted to local fisherfolks ways of mitigating sea incidents during inclement weather and shared to them best practices of survival at sea. The activity also capacitated them as peer responder during sea incidents.

Adanza said the dialogue with fisherfolks also seeks to synchronize inter-agency planning, operations and efforts for maritime security; maintain fishermen network; and promote the Navy’s role to the general populace.

“This is just the start of promoting awareness on the safety of fisherfolks at sea. We will also conduct the same activity in other coastal barangays in north Luzon to know the concerns of local fishermen that will help us in crafting programs that will benefit them later,” he said.

During the onslaught of Typhoon Kabayan, it is the municipality of Bolinao where the bulk of missing fishermen came from prompting the Naval Task Force 40 to select the area as a venue for the information drive.

“I encouraged the fisherfolks to save and to have an alternative source of income so they don’t always have to sail at sea, especially during bad weather conditions,” he said adding that maritime resources should be taken cared of so fishermen don’t have to go far to catch fish.

In a message, Bolinao Mayor Alfonso Celeste urged fisherfolks to follow the pieces of advice shared by speakers from the Navy, Coast Guard, BFAR and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC).

“Huwag na ninyong isugal ang inyong mga buhay kasi 'yong mga mahal ninyo sa buhay ang kawawa kapag nawala kayo sa laot,” Celeste told the fishermen. (PIA-1, Pangasinan)