MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL — At least 493 fisherfolks from various coastal communities in Misamis Occidental received fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats through the “Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko” program of the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR).

“Recipients underwent hands-on training in boat-building to enhance their technical skills and livelihood capacity,” Shaine Mae Nagtalon, spokesperson of the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, told the DAILY TRIBUNE, Monday, 9 June.

The fisherfolks’ spouses were provided with P10,000 each as start-up capital by the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental, under the leadership of Governor Henry Oaminal, enabling them to engage in small-scale enterprises such as fish trading, Nagtalon said.

“Beneficiaries also participated in a financial management orientation to promote sustainable use of the livelihood assistance. This initiative is a collaborative effort between BFAR and the Provincial Government to strengthen coastal livelihoods and empower fishing families,” she added.

Governor Oaminal emphasized the unique strategy behind the initiative, saying, “We’ve made it a point to empower the wives to help monitor and support their husbands’ fishing activities. The wives will track whether their husbands went out to sea, what they caught, and will manage the income. That’s why we provided the capital to the wives — for better oversight and to ensure that the family benefits from this livelihood,” Nagtalon, quoting Oaminal, said.

Every two weeks, the Provincial Agriculture Office will monitor income reports. The capital must remain intact, and profits will be recorded. At the end of each quarter, the Provincial Government will match the profits earned.