The new fishing boats turned over by the Office of the Chief Minister’s Project TABANG to 70 fisherfolk cooperatives in the two provinces of Maguindanao and in the Special Geographic Area on Dec. 28, 2023. (Photo from Project TABANG)
COTABATO CITY— Seventy (70) fisherfolk cooperatives from the two provinces of Maguindanao and from the Special Geographic Area (SGA) have received brand-new fishing boats from the Bangsamoro Government, a move aimed at enhancing local livelihood and increasing fish production in the region.
Funded with P4.2 million, this initiative falls under Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s Project Tulong Alay sa Bangsamorong Nangangailangan (TABANG), through its Oplan Bangsamoro Rapid Assistance (OBRA). The turnover ceremony took place last December 28, 2023.
Mohammad Asnur Pendatun, head of Project TABANG Livelihood Unit, said that OBRA had previously distributed 150 fishing boats across the region using funds allocated in 2021 and 2022.
OBRA’s overarching goal is to support farmers and cooperatives in their day-to-day operations, enhance crop productions, and provide additional economic goods and services.
“And we have another 70 new fishing boats, but this time, allotted for Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi,” Pendatun said.
Expressing gratitude, beneficiaries Jalondoni Panga of Balong Ancestor Agriculture Cooperatives and Karding Ismael of TEE United Farmers and Fisherfolks Marketing Cooperatives thanked Chief Minister Ebrahim and the regional government for their initiatives in helping fisherfolks and farmers in the region.
“Nyaba a ini-support nu project TABANG salkami na kailangan (nami) a benal. Masla a benal inya a nakadtabang salkami sya sa lekami a dalpa endo kaped inyaba a support kanu mga tagapeda nami sa kapangilay sa uyag-uyag,” Panga said in Maguindanaon vernacular.
[This support from Project TABANG is really relevant to us. It is a great help to our community and to my fellow fishermen, especially for our livelihood.]
Prior to the official turnover, the OBRA program’s head and the TABANG team conducted thorough inspections to ensure the quality and safety of the newly provided fishing boats. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO)
