Agri chief distributes boats, supplies to storm-hit fishers in Lanao, Zamboanga

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol

ZAMBOANGA CITY—-Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said on Friday that he has turned over 160 fishing boats with gears to fishermen in Lake Lanao, and led the seeding of the lake with two million tilapia fingerlings.

The agriculture secretary said he had been visiting typhoon-hit areas in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur to assess the damage caused by Severe Tropical Storm “Vinta” on agriculture and to extend immediate assistance to affected farmers and fishermen.

Piñol told the Inquirer by phone that he was instructed by President Duterte “to ensure that immediate assistance is extended to typhoon-hit areas.”

He said he went to Lanao del Sur on Thursday to distribute the boats and on the same day, went to Lala, Lanao del Norte for a caucus with local officials, farmers and fishermen.

On Friday, Piñol said he conducted an aerial assessment of several areas in Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte.

He added he also led the distribution of some P9 million worth of seaweeds and fish processing materials for 903 fishermen and 21 peoples’ organization in Zamboanga del Norte, while fishermen in Zamboanga del Sur received P3.66 million worth of gill nets, hooks and lines, and squid jiggers.