President Marcos’ Initiatives Boost Fisheries in Southern Leyte and Samar

LIMASAWA, Southern Leyte — Marites Solonia, a lifelong fisher and leader of the Cabulihan Fisherfolk Association, reports significant improvements in local fishing communities due to recent government initiatives under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The administration has provided substantial support to the fisheries sector, including the delivery of advanced fishing equipment and boats.

According to Philippines News Agency, Solonia received motorboats from the government during President Marcos’ visit to Palo, Leyte, where he awarded assistance to local farmers and fisherfolk. The Cabulihan Fisherfolk Association was designated to receive 60 22-footer fiberglass-reinforced plastic boats, valued at PHP2.8 million, which includes engines and boat accessories. This delivery was confirmed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, noting a slight delay due to challenging sea conditions between Leyte Island and Limasawa Island.

Solonia emphasized the transformative impact of this support, noting, “I could feel the President’s genuine concern for the fishery sector when he personally handed over the assistance to our group. We never had support from the national government in the past until 2023.” The enhanced support has been a significant change, as most association members previously had to rent boats, keeping only 30 percent of their catch.

In addition to the boats, the Cabulihan village fishers have benefited from the Department of Agriculture-BFAR-Special Area for Agricultural Development Program Phase 2. This program aims to reduce poverty by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to impoverished fishers. In late 2023, the group also received fishing gear and paraphernalia worth PHP2.3 million to aid recovery from the impacts of Typhoon Odette in December 2021, and to improve their fish drying processes. They are now producing 50 to 100 kilograms of dried squid monthly, selling each kilogram for PHP1,000.

Meanwhile, in the island town of Zumarraga, Samar, local fishers like Zhonne Cabueños have also received critical support. Each fisher in Tubigan village received PHP2,000 worth of fishing gear, including bottom-set longlines and gillnets, facilitating sustainable fishing practices that have been a tradition for over 40 years. Cabueños shared, “We have been employing this sustainable fishing method for the past 40 years, but this is the first time that our group has received fishing gear from the national government.”

This initiative is part of a broader effort by President Marcos to uplift rural and fishing communities across the Philippines. During a recent speech in Calbayog City, Samar, he reiterated his commitment to doubling government efforts to improve the lives of his constituents and ensure they receive the necessary assistance as part of the “Bagong Pilipinas” vision.