Davao City—Over 2,000 beneficiaries received livelihood assistance from the government during the continuation of the Livelihood Assistance and Anti-Drug Campaign Caravan 2021 of the First Congressional District Office here, which started late last year.
Of the 2,002 beneficiaries of the livelihood assistance, 290 are fisherfolk. The beneficiaries received P15,000 cash from the First District Office of Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Office.
Roger Monsalud, 61, president of the Talomo Center Beach Nagkahiusang Mananagat Association, said the fisherfolk have a hard time fishing nowadays compared to before the pandemic, since they have to abide with the stricter health and quarantine protocols.
"Dili mi makapangisda adlaw-adlaw kay kinahanglan namo mag agad sa adlaw na pwede mi makagawas base sa FM pass. Di sab mi makapalawot ug tuda kay naa tay curfew (We cannot go fishing everyday or anytime we want because we have to rely on the schedule based from our food and medicine pass and the curfew implemented in our city)," Monsalud said, adding that he is grateful for the support of the government in filling their needs.
Fisherman Nestor Racaza, 45, said the livelihood assistance is a big help to them, since they are now able to buy new fishnets and gear necessary for their livelihood.
"With the new fishing gear, hopefully, we can catch more fishes when we go fishing. Everyone is having a hard time since the pandemic and we are also doing our best to adjust and catch up with the new normal," Racaza said in the vernacular.
Duterte's office will also be giving livelihood assistance to other individuals under the first district. The office earlier said the caravan aims to help the poorest of the poor affected by the pandemic.
