KIAMBA, Sarangani — The provincial government has distributed Global Positioning System with fish finder devices and life vest worth P265,000 to local fisherfolks from the two villages of this municipality.
Provincial Agriculturist Jonathan Duhaylungsod, together with Municipal Agriculturist Angeline Gulmatico, turned over on Monday at least 15 units of GPS equipment and 20 pieces of life vest jacket to members of Purok Mabuhay Fisherfolk Association of Barangay Datu Dani and Talima Salakit Fisherfolk Association of Barangay Salakit this town.
Duhaylungsod said, while the life vest jackets will serve as protection during rough sea conditions, the newly-acquired fish finder which uses highly-sensitive and advanced GPS system will help the fishermen in mapping their waypoints, making fishing operations more cost-effective and efficient.
He said the provision of these devices was part of provincial agriculture office’s HARM FREE program or Hazards Adaptation, Reduction and Mitigation for FaRmErs and FishErfolk Project 2021.
HARM FREE is among the various projects launched by the provincial government which was funded through its 5% Calamity Fund.
Duhaylungsod said the fisherfolk associations in Kiamba were the first recipients for this year but he explained the project targets to cover all the six coastal municipalities of the province.
“This project was aimed at providing sustainable livelihood for our marginalized fishing sector,” Duhaylungsod said.
Norodin Guibon, president of the Purok Mabuhay Fisherfolk Association, said the local fisherfolks thanked the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Steve Solon for prioritizing the need of the local fishing sector.
He said the GPS fish finder devices would contribute to efficient fuel consumption during their fishing expedition since they will be using GPS to map out prospective fishing grounds in Sarangani Bay.