Tagum City, June 13 – A total of 43 fiberglass fishing boats were distributed to local fisherfolk in the coastal barangays of the city during a ceremony held this morning at the Bantay Dagat camp in Barangay Liboganon.
The distributed boats include 28 motorized and 15 manually operated fiberglass boats, which were awarded to various members of fisherfolk associations from Barangays Liboganon, Busaon, and Bincungan.
This initiative is part of the “Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Dagat” (BASID) program led by Mayor Rey T. Uy, aimed at strengthening the livelihoods of local fishermen by providing them with durable and efficient fishing vessels.
Mayor Uy personally attended the event, along with City Councilors Leo Revita, Jun Coquilla Jr., and Joedel Caasi; Councilors-elect Wes Caasi and Uloy Ong; BFAR Regional Fisherfolk Director Vergilio N. Chua; City Agriculturist Officer Harold S. Dawa; personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard; and barangay officials.
While supporting the economic needs of fisherfolk, the Tagum City Government also reaffirmed its commitment to environmental protection. Officials emphasized that conserving marine ecosystems is crucial to ensuring sustainable fishing and abundant harvests from the sea.