TAGUM CITY — Forty-six newly built fiberglass fishing boats were formally turned over to fisherfolk from the city’s coastal barangays on Monday morning, December 23, at the Bantay Dagat Camp in Barangay Liboganon—further strengthening local efforts to support sustainable fishing and marine conservation.
The distribution includes 26 motorized units and 20 manual Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) boats. Beneficiaries are registered members of fisherfolk associations from Barangays Liboganon, Busaon, Bincungan, Madaum, and San Isidro.
City Councilors Wes Caasi and Ciara Uy-Salazar personally attended the turnover, together with City Agriculture Office (CAGRO) Head Engr. Harold S. Dawa, ARMAD Head For. Emiliano P. Dakingking Jr., and local village officials representing the five barangays.
This latest rollout marks the fourth batch of FRP boat distribution under the Balik Sigla sa Ilog at Dagat (BASID) program—an initiative heightened by Mayor Rey T. Uy to enhance the livelihood security of fishing communities in Tagum.
According to city officials, the program aims to provide sturdy and safer fishing vessels that will withstand daily use, allowing fisherfolk to boost their income while protecting their welfare at sea.
Beyond livelihood support, the BASID program promotes a shared responsibility in caring for the environment. Fisherfolk are tapped as key partners of the local government in safeguarding coastal ecosystems, improving marine biodiversity, and increasing fish catch in Tagum’s waters.
For the beneficiaries, these new boats represent more than just an upgrade in equipment—they offer renewed hope for sustained livelihood and a deeper commitment to preserving the marine resources they depend on.