AHON: Brand new engines, fishing gears for Batan and New Washington fishermen

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Yolanda-affected fisherfolk of the towns of Batan and New Washington in Aklan will receive their fishing paraphernalia, cash assistance and marine engines from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Saturday morning.

BFAR provincial director Mae Guanco said the livelihood assistance is part of AHON (Rise) project to help fishermen recover from the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda and to restore their fish nets, damaged boats and fishing gears. 

Fishing villages in the six towns in Aklan heavily affected by super typhoon were identified by BFAR in Batan, New Washington, Kalibo, Numancia, Makato and Ibajay.

“Since the month of March, the BFAR provided the required materials such as marine plywood, marine epoxy, copper nails and paint to repair the damaged fishing boats in the affected towns,” he added.

Up to 441 fishermen in Batan and New Washington will also receive P453,700 cash assistance from BFAR. Each fisherman will get P500 cash aid per plywood for a maximum of P1,500 grant.

Eighty-two brand new units of 5.5 horsepower, 7.5 horsepower and 12 horsepower boat engines as replacement for damaged ones will be turned over also to AHON fisherfolk-beneficiaries of Batan.

Apart from boat engines, fishing gears for 521 fishermen of motorized and non-motorized bancas will be distributed also by BFAR. 

Guanco also said the AHON project is a government-private rehabilitation initiative which involves 4Ps (public private people participation) for the fisherfolk affected by super typhoon Yolanda.

It targets the immediate restoration of repairable boats and gears, replacement of completely ravaged boats and gears and provision of support mechanism to improve productivity in 21 of 72 provinces in the Visayas regions with fishing communities severely devastated. 

The ceremonial turnover in Batan, Aklan will be lead by BFAR assistant national director for technical services Drusila Esther Bayate, BFAR – 6 OIC regional director Remia Aparri, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, Batan mayor Delfina Ramos and Aklan Rep.  Teodorico Haresco, Jr. at the Batan port in Barangay Poblacion.