A total of 8,083 fisherfolk in Bicol Region have so far received financial assistance worth PHP18.7 million from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk.

In a phone interview on Monday, BFAR-Region 5 spokesperson Rowena Briones said the cash assistance for the period June 4 to 22 aims to ease the challenges faced by the fisheries sector.

“Under the program, each qualified beneficiary receives cash assistance amounting to PHP2,325 to help them in their livelihood activities,” she said.

Briones said the assistance was distributed to qualified fisherfolk registered under the Boat Registration, Fisherfolk Registration and the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture.

The assistance may be used to cover daily fishing operations, including the purchase of fuel, nets, hooks and other materials essential to sustain their livelihood; and repair of fishing gear.

Briones noted that while BFAR-5 has 49,786 registered fisherfolk in its database, the region’s allocation under the program covers only 38,400 beneficiaries, or about 77 percent of the registered fisherfolk.

Of the total regional disbursement, Camarines Sur accounted for the largest share with 5,142 beneficiaries receiving PHP11.9 million. Catanduanes followed with 1,792 beneficiaries (PHP4.16 million), Sorsogon with 842 beneficiaries (PHP1.95 million), and Tiwi, Albay with 307 beneficiaries (PHP713,775).

“Payout for Masbate is scheduled this week, while for Camarines Norte, we are awaiting the update,” she said.

BFAR-5 advised qualified beneficiaries who were unable to claim their assistance during the scheduled payout to coordinate with their Municipal Agriculture Offices for further instructions and updates. (PNA)