Fisherman washes ashore, rescued

A fisherman from Iloilo (right) was rescued at Caliling, Cauayan, Negros on Monday after he washed ashore due to the bad weather. (Photo courtesy of PCG-Negros Occidental)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A fisherman was rescued after he washed ashore in the coastline of Cauayan, Negros Occidental last Monday.

Commander Jansen Benjamin, head of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental, said Joart Sefil, 37, of San Joaquin, Iloilo, left their hometown early Sunday on board his motorized boat to go fishing.

But Sefil drifted to Cauayan due to bad weather and heavy rains.

The incident was reported to the PCG and they coordinated with the local health authorities in compliance with the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH).

Sefil sailed home the following day after he was cleared in his medical tests.

Benjamin said fishermen can fish if they don’t engage in illegal fishing amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID)-19 pandemic.