Fishing boat operators of Cadiz City in Negros Occidental who have been greatly affected by typhoon ‘Frank’ are up in arms over the non-release of loans that were promised by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
Councilor Roy Vijandre, president of Negros Occidental Fishing Association, appealed to BFAR officials to fasttrack the release of the loans because fishing operators have nothing on their hands to go back to business as they have lost almost everything to the storm.
"Just don’t add to our burden," said Vijandre.
Damage caused by the typhoon to the fishing industry in Cadiz City is estimated at more or less P300 - P400 million.
In a meeting with affected fishing boat operators in the province, BFAR Regional Director Drusila Esther Bayate explained to fishing operators that they can avail themselves of loans of up to P15 million to P30 million to enable them to start anew after they lost millions because of the damage brought by the storm to their vessels.
"A task force was created to expedite the release of loans," Bayate said.
"Because it forms part of a bigger chunk of our food security requirements," added BFAR Director, Atty. Benjamin Tabios, Jr.
BFAR officials also briefed fishing operators on how they can avail themselves of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. The fund however would be released after two years.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said he understood the plight of fishing operators., He said he would see how they can expedite the processing so that the fund would be released the soonest.
BFAR has assigned its staff to focus on the processing of the requirements of fishing operators for the speedy release of the loans. With a report from Ragie Mae Tano-Arellano, ABS-CBN Bacolod
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