by Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY, FEB. 27(PIA)--- The two cities and eleven (11) municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte continue to benefit from the various livelihood programs implemented through the Regional Livelihood and Fisheries Program in the province.
The program is funded by the Kingdom of Spain, in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation, and in coordination with the Bureau of Food and Aquatic Resources(BFAR).
Former BFAR Regional Director and now consultant of the RFLP Virigilio Alforque said the program gives opportunity to the organized fisherfolks, including their wives find additional source of income through the funds coming from the RFLP.
The program funded by Spain in partnership with the BFAR started in 2009 and will last until 2013.
Grace Batong, RFLP Project Management, Gender and Communications Officer said organized fisher-folks and their wives directly benefited from the program through various livelihood activities like underwear and bag-making and sea-foods preservation such as shrimp paste production and teaching the fisher-folks produce better quality of pump-boats.
Former BFAR Regional Director and now consultant of the RFLP Virigilio Alforque said aside from those benefits, RFLP will also hold poster making contest in the different secondary schools throughout Zamboanga del Norte, with big prizes coming from the Spanish Government.
Alforque thanked the Local Chief Executives of the different municipalities, cities and the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte for their coordinative effort in the implementation of the program.
The RFLP Consultant hoped that once the program is already established, the beneficiaries of the program would be able to pass it on to their children who will comprise the next generation of our society for the sustainability of the program.
He also urged the fisher-folks not to abuse our marine resources and avoid using illegal way of fishing and participate in guarding our territorial waters against violators of the law of the sea.(ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)