Government Assistance Benefits Island Towns

DAPA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, Philippines - At least 16 organizations in various communities of the three towns on this "paradise island" received some P2.9 million assistance from the government's Self-Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) program.

The cash assistance was received by the 16 organization-beneficiaries in the towns of Dapa, Del Carmen, and Pilar.

The SEA-K aid was personally handed over by the Caraga Livelihood Unit of the Region-13 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-13) Thursday.

DSWD-13 Information Officer Leah T. Quintana said the 16 organizations are composed of some 325 members that benefited from the SEA-K - a national government effort to alleviate poverty.

Meanwhile, Roy Serdeña, of the DSWD-Caraga Livelihood Unit, also said that the beneficiaries will use the financial aid in venturing to other livelihood opportunities.

SEA-K aims to provide the poor and disadvantaged sector of society with timely access to credit and development opportunities.

This initiative was realized during the previous administration and is continuously implemented by the present administration.

In another development, to supply the demand, the City Agriculturist's Office in Butuan City has dispersed hundreds of tilapia fingerlings to various fishpond operators and fisherfolk.

City Agriculturist Bert Boca said around 500 tilapia fingerlings had been distributed to fishpond operators and fisherfolk in line with the aquaculture project implemented by the city government.

He said the tilapia business is increasing in the city and its neighboring areas in the Caraga Region, prompting the city government to provide alternative livelihood opportunities.

It was learned that event the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is assisting the fisherfolk in Butuan City in an effort to increase their fish production.

The said activity will be continued this year, as it was observed that the conduct of the program was made successful.

According to BFAR, tilapia is the second most important fish that is cultured in the Philippines, next to milkfish.

In 2006, of the total fisheries production - some 4,408,472 metric tons, tilapia contributed 202,040.56 metric tons or 22 percent.

The continuous study on the development of tilapia species and the use of a number of various culture technologies contributed to this steady increase of the fish production in Northeastern Mindanao, BFAR added.