66 areas in Cagayan Valley under state of calamity due to El Nino

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At least 66 areas in Cagayan Valley have been placed under a state of calamity with P4.96 billion reported losses in the agriculture sector due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, according to data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

To assist affected fisherfolk, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA- BFAR) and TRABAHO Party-List delivered comprehensive fisheries livelihood projects and assistance.

At least 13 fisherfolk groups in the Municipality of Claveria received 62-foot fiberglass-reinforced plastic fishing boats, a motorized flat-bottom boat, various fishing gear, and life vests.

Photo from TRABAHO Party-list

They also received post-harvest and marketing equipment, such as freezers, weighing scales, fish crates, coolers, a meat grinder, a vacuum sealer, and a motorized cargo tricycle locally known as a kulong-kulong.

The assistance is aimed at improving fishing operations, strengthening post-harvest capabilities, and providing local fisherfolk with resources to sustain their livelihoods for better income.

DA- BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig, BFAR Region 2 Regional Director Angel Encarnacion, and TRABAHO Party-List Rep. Johanne Bautista led the turnover ceremony.

Also present were Vice Mayor Fredelino Agpuldo, Provincial Fisheries Officer Jennifer Tattao, Municipal Agriculturist Dante Castillo, and Sangguniang Bayan Members Joshua Salmon, Edson Paul Flores, Reyn Niduaza, and Lincoln Guillen.

Highlighting the necessity of intergovernmental collaboration, Bautista reaffirmed the TRABAHO Party-List's ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of local fisherfolk and serving as a steadfast partner in delivering essential support for employment and livelihoods in the agricultural sector, especially during an El Niño phenomenon.

Salilig, on the other hand, underscored the agency's commitment to supporting fishing communities. —AOL, GMA News