MANILA, Philippines – Constant together with his advocacy to advance the welfare of the nation’s marginalized fisherfolk, Senate Majority Chief Francis “Tol” Tolentino visited Sta. Cruz, Zambales on Thursday to personally lead the handover of livelihood help to native fishers.
Highlighting the occasion was the turnover of 10 fiberglass bolstered plastic boats (FRPB), in partnership with the Division of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Fisheries (BFAR), and the native authorities, led by Mayor Consolacion Marty.
Tolentino likewise spearheaded the payout for fisherfolk who benefited from DOLE’s emergency employment program – the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Deprived/ Displaced Staff (TUPAD).
READ: Senator Francis Tolentino seeks reelection
The beneficiaries included greater than 500 fisherfolk, whose properties and livelihoods had been closely impacted by hurricane Carina final July.
Article continues after this commercial
“Could these new boats enable you to in your technique of earnings These will probably be geared up with marine engines and equipment, together with transponders, which might enable our authorities to observe your location whenever you’re out at sea, and ship help in case of emergencies,” famous the senator.
Article continues after this commercial
For the TUPAD beneficiaries, Tolentino mentioned: “I hope that the quantity you’ll obtain, although modest, would assist your loved ones nicely.”
Lastly, Tolentino mentioned that he intends to push for a program that might assist households displaced by calamities by way of authorities help for the fee of their fundamental utilities.
To be known as “LITAW” (Liwanag, Web, Kuryente Help Welfare), the senator mentioned that he got here up with the proposal after seeing what number of catastrophe victims are pressured to prioritize fee for his or her utility payments to keep away from disconnection, whereas nonetheless within the means of rebuilding their dwelling.
“When properties are destroyed by disasters, like flood, fireplace, or earthquake, the precedence needs to be to purchase constructing supplies like roofing, wooden, and hole blocks. However what occurs is that the victims must pay first for his or her electrical energy water, or web to keep away from disconnection,” he defined.
Final June, Tolentino visited fishing communities in varied localities in Zambales that had been affected by the battle on the West Philippine Sea, particularly after China warned that it could begin arresting and detaining fishermen for 60 days with out trial when caught inside its claimed territory that covers Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).
The senator chairs the Senate Particular Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones.