In a proactive move to ensure the welfare of its local coastal community members, the Municipal Government of San Felipe has launched a community information campaign and organized a grassroots assistance program for fisherfolk in the area in line with the ongoing submarine cable maintenance activities in the province’s waters.
A total of 360 family heads from Barangay Sto. Niño received essential support packages to help augment the livelihood of recipients. These include local small-scale fishermen, members of the specialized Lambaklad fishing team, and Barangay Tanods who serve as the community’s frontline maritime observers.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Office of the Mayor, in close coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office. The turnover ceremony was attended by members of the Sangguniang Bayan and officials from Barangay Sto. Niño, underscoring a unified local government response to the concerns of the fishing sector.
“Our priority is to ensure that no family is left behind while these offshore activities are conducted,” Sangguniang Bayan Member and Committee on Agriculture Chairman Gary Fariñas said. “The LGU is committed to maintaining a balance between necessary infrastructure maintenance in our waters and the immediate needs of our people who depend on the sea for their daily bread.”
The assistance comes as a timely intervention following reports of restricted fishing zones in areas where a maintenance vessel is currently operating.
Moving forward, the Municipal Agriculture Office will continue to monitor the situation and maintain open communication lines with the fisherfolk to ensure all community concerns are addressed and their livelihoods are protected throughout the duration of the offshore works.
