Legarda promises to boost aid to fisheries

Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Senatorial candidate Loren Legarda promised to bring government services directly to the fishing communities of Navotas and Malabon City, where most of the population depends on fishing-related livelihoods.

“Navotas and Malabon, cities close to my heart because I had so much fond memories growing up here, are both fishing communities,” she said in a statement.

“But seeing how the fisherfolks are trying to make ends meet, especially amid the pandemic and climate crisis, we must strengthen our initiatives to sustain the fisheries sector and ensure that there is enough support to address the needs and concerns of our fisherfolks,” she added.

The Antique Lone District Representative also shared projects and programs that she facilitated in coordination with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to increase fish production, employment, and livelihood generation of Antiqueño fisherfolks.

Through her initiatives, fishing communities in Antique received fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) boats, fishing gears and paraphernalia, infrastructure support such as the construction of community fish landing, and capital assistance, among others.

“I have seen how the fishing industry in our province improved after we provided the much-needed assistance to our fisherfolk. Nagawa po natin sa Antique, isang probinsyang matagal na napag-iwanan at karamihan ay hindi alam ang mga programa ng pamahalaan, kaya sigurado pong kayang-kaya din nating gawin sa Navotas, sa Malabon, at sa ibang pang parte ng bansa,” Legarda said.

Legarda also emphasized the need to establish fish ports, community fish landing centers, and even farm-to-market roads to provide better access to fisherfolk in local markets and ensure the quality of their landed catch.

Moreover, the three-term senator also aims to provide training and entrepreneurship opportunities for fisherfolks in Navotas and Malabon through government agencies like TESDA and Department of Trade and Industry’s Shared Service Facilities (DTI SSF) to provide fisheries-based livelihood alternatives.

As a climate advocate, Legarda encouraged everyone to promote safety and sustainability within their households and communities through waste segregation, recycling, and upcycling. She cited that other communities should replicate the success of Brgy. Potrero in Malabon, which is a zero-waste model community.

Doing so will save the ocean from the destruction of coral reefs, water pollution due to improper waste disposal, and destructive fishing practices that would translate to lower fish catch and income.

“We have been blessed with the bounties of the Earth, but amid this abundance, we must be mindful. The pandemic and the climate crisis pose many development challenges, but it also presents the opportunity to promote sustainable growth for our own survival and for the generations to come,” Legarda said.

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