Dagupan fisherfolk, farmers get aid from DA

Fishermen in Dagupan City receive siganid and tilapia fingerling from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region I. (Photo by Yolanda Sotelo)

DAGUPAN CITY––Fifteen fishermen and two rice farmers in this city received Tuesday financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (DA-PCIC) after suffering losses due to fishkill and plant diseases.

The fishermen and farmers received indemnity checks from P7,500 to P51,720 depending on the extent of their losses, said the Bureau of Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

On the same occasion, BFAR donated 500 oyster strips with spats ready for hanging on plots in coastal waters.

The oysters would be ready for harvesting from March to April next year, said city agriculture office consultant Emma Molina.

Mayor Brian Lim turned over the oyster strips and siganid and tilapia fingerlings to the selected fisherfolk.

He said the fingerlings and the oyster strips were part of the assistance from BFAR intended to help them during the pandemic.

Raul Servito, PCIC regional manager, said this was the first time that the fisherfolk received indemnity.

Each beneficiary paid P100 to enroll in the insurance program, he said.
The PCIC had been encouraging farmers and fisherfolk to enroll with the government insurance company.

But they have to be registered with the Registration System for Basic Sector in Agriculture and holders of the Aquaculture Lease of Agreement, Servito said.

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