The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Luzon (BFAR-3) has provided fisher folks in this province some PHP3 million worth of livelihood assistance.

BFAR-3 Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said on Wednesday 50 fishers from the towns of Lubao and Sasmuan received on Tuesday 50 fiberglass reinforced plastic boats and 10 live fish transport vehicles or “bakulingling.”

Cruz said each 27-foot plastic boat has a complete set of motor engines and underwater fitting/accessories.

He said the boats were personally crafted by the fisherfolk who were trained and given raw materials by BFAR through its “Bangka Mo, Gawa Mo” program.

Meanwhile, each bakulingling comprises a sidecar, oxygen tank, fiberglass fish tank and coolers.

The provincial government, as its counterpart, purchased motorcycles for the fish transport vehicles.

“The assistance is in response to the request of the provincial government to support the residents whose main source of livelihood is fishing,” the BFAR official said in an interview.

Cruz, together with Vice Governor Lilia Pineda and Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the distribution activity held at the Lubao Bamboo Hub.

In June last year, BFAR-3 awarded five motorized 32-footer fiberglass reinforced plastic boats and two bakulinglings to fishers also in Lubao and Sasmuan. (PNA)