Philippines disburses cash aid to more than 9,000 fisherfolk in Bicol and General Santos

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed PHP 18.7 million to 8,083 fisherfolk in the Bicol Region from June 4‑22, giving each qualified beneficiary PHP 2,325 to cover fuel, nets, hooks and other fishing expenses. BFAR‑Region 5 spokesperson Rowena Briones said the assistance aims to ease the sector’s challenges and noted that about 77 % of the region’s registered fisherfolk are covered. Camarines Sur received the largest share with 5,142 beneficiaries (PHP 11.9 million), followed by Catanduanes, Sorsogon and Albay.

In General Santos City, the Department of Labor and Employment’s Tupad program provided P9.8 million in wages to 1,040 displaced fisherfolk after the magnitude‑8.7 Mindanao earthquake. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the government remains committed to supporting vulnerable workers. Beneficiaries were assigned to tasks such as fish‑port maintenance, drainage cleaning, tuna handline fishing and post‑harvest operations under the coordination of BFAR Region XII and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority.