Zambales solon pledges financial aid for fishermen for damaged ‘payao’

Zambales fishers blame this Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier for supposedly destroying their artificial reef on Jan. 17. (Contributed photo)

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — Rep. Doris Maniquiz of the second district of this province will provide financial assistance to a group of fishermen after a Hong Kong-based cargo ship allegedly hit their “payao,” or fish aggregating device, last month.

On Sunday, February 12, some members of the New Masinloc Fishermen’s Association visited the legislator, and the latter pledged to provide a soft loan amounting to P150,000, the cost of their destroyed payao.

“Once I read in the papers about your sad plight and how you lost your source of income as well as food for your families, my heart went out to all of you, so I asked my staff to reach out and contact you,” Maniquiz told the fishermen.

READ: Zambales gov’t to help fishermen seek damages from HK ship over wrecked ‘payao’

She added: “I hope that with this seed money, you can start all over again and be more productive for yourselves and our community.”

Prior to this, Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. also announced that he would assist the Masinloc fishermen in their quest to seek damages from the management of HC Glory, the vessel that allegedly destroyed the fishermen’s payao.

READ: Zambales fishers seek damages after HK ship ‘hit’ artificial reefs

Ebdane said a government legal team would represent the Masinloc fishermen and that the matter has been referred to the agriculture and legal committees of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board) for further action.

The fishermen are seeking a total of P900,000 in damages: P150,000 for the destroyed payao; P360,000 in unrealized income from the scheduled payao harvest; and P390,000 for income from hook-and-line fishing. INQ