To support families in coastal communities, the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it has provided more than PHP14 million worth of fisheries and aquaculture assistance in Sorsogon.

In a statement, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the aid aims to address production and post-harvest needs of families in the coastal areas.

“We are moving beyond quick fixes by pairing modern mariculture and sturdy vessels with critical post-harvest assets to permanently lift our coastal families out of vulnerability,” he said.

In particular, the DA provided fish cages, fiberglass boats, and seaweed-processing equipment.

About PHP2.99 million worth of assistance was given to the Triple B Fisherfolk Association in Bacon District.

These included three high-density polyethylene (HDPE) marine fish cages, feeds and fingerlings, a floating house, and a fiberglass banca.

These cages will form part of a 588-hectare mariculture zone, which is expected to produce 18 metric tons (MT) of milkfish annually.

Besides these, the DA also distributed 20 36-foot fiberglass boats worth PHP4.02 million to registered fishers under the FB Pagbabago program.

These are expected to generate about 88 MT of fish catch per year and provide fisherfolk with larger vessels for fishing operations.

Among the beneficiaries were registered fishers in Sorsogon City, Pilar, Castilla, Magallanes, Donsol, Casiguran, and Bulan.

The Samahang Mandaragat ng Barangay San Fernando in Prieto Diaz, meanwhile, received a PHP1.03-million floating dryer to improve seaweed processing under the Enhanced Philippine Seaweed Development Program.

The Bogña Self Help Group also received PHP5.96 million for four 20-by-20-meter HDPE seaweed cages to support commercial seaweed production. (PNA)