Mayor appeals to fisherfolks to help in anti-illegal fishing drive

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Mayor Narwin Javelosa Jr. of Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Thursday appealed to small fisher leaders to help the city in the campaign against illegal fishing.

The mayor made this appeal during the induction of the newly-elected officers of the Sagay Small Fishers Alliance (SASFA) Thursday at the City’s CFARMC office.

Javelosa expressed the LGU’s support to the alliance in terms of socio-economic projects and in protecting its coastal and marine environment.

Also held during the activity is the turn-over of PRRM-NEGROS and People to People Aid (P2) Sustainable Livelihood Project to SASFA, which is composed of eight small fishers’ organizations from 5 coastal barangays of the city.

Councilor Perfecto Marañon enjoined the alliance to brace for new challenges and new technologies in view of the intensifying climate changes which are adversely affecting small fishers and coastal communities.

PRRM area manager Edwin Balajadia urged the small fishers’ leaders to build their capacities and foster their organizations so as to meet such challenges.

Nelpa Lobaton, chair of SASFA, said they will do their best in defending and promoting the rights and interests of the small fishers and in accessing programs of the LGU for the small fishers’ benefits.

More than 35 PO leaders, PRRM staff, and LGU officials and personnel attended the affair.