Fisherfolk in Aborlan, Palawan receive their promised cash assistance (Speaker’s office)

The Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez has led the distribution of nearly P6 million worth of cash assistance to fisherfolk in Aborlan, Palawan.

The cash aid was sourced from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which handed the payouts to 1,589 fisherfolk and indigent senior citizens.

“This payout manifests my solemn commitment to help the distressed residents of Aborlan as their caretaker and in accordance with the policy of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. that no one should be left behind,” Romualdez said in a statement on Wednesday, March 13.

The Speaker was designated caretaker of Palawan’s third district, which includes Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City, following the death of its elected representative Edward Hagedorn in October last year.

Fishermen received P5,000 each in cash assistance under the AICS program. Indigent senior citizens received P3,000 each as food assistance--also under AICS.

“This is just the beginning as we are working in earnest to honor the rest of the pledge I gave to the leaders of fisherfolks during our recent meeting,” he said.

On March 1, leaders of fisherfolk groups in the municipality met with Romualdez to protest the  impact of China’s aggressive tactics in the WPS to their livelihood.

Aside from this, the fishermen requested scholarships for their children, an ice plant and fuel depot, alternative livelihood opportunities, as well as the possibility of government support in the acquisition of bigger fishing boats amid competition from neighboring countries.

Romualdez was quick to oblige, with a scholarship grant to over 1,000 fishermen’s children currently being worked on, alongside the recent cash assistance distribution.

The House leader also assured the fishermen of alternative livelihoods for their families, such as food processing facilities.