SUBIC, Zambales— About 500 fisherfolk from across Zambales accessed government programs and services during the Social Protection for the Fisherfolk Caravan held Wednesday, July 29 in Subic.

The one-stop service initiative, organized by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), was conducted as part of the agency’s 79th anniversary celebration and the 10th anniversary of the 2016 West Philippine Sea Arbitral Award. The caravan brought together national government agencies, local government units and development partners to provide social protection services to fishing communities.

Among those who attended were Subic Mayor Jonathan Khonghun, Zambales First District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun and Zambales Board Member Enrique “Ike” Delgado, representing Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was represented by Rebecca Andong on behalf of FAO Representative in the Philippines Dr. Lionel Dabbadie. Also present was National Anti-Poverty Commission Artisanal Fisherfolk Sectoral Representative Restituto Del Rosario. Participants also viewed recorded messages from Dabbadie and Camarines Sur First District Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony “Hori” Glinoga Horibata.

Government agencies participating in the caravan included the Subic Rural Health Unit, RHU Generika, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program, the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) and the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. The agencies provided health consultations, registration, enrollment and information on livelihood, housing, insurance and other government programs.

The event also included the distribution of fuel assistance and livelihood assistance to qualified fisherfolk beneficiaries.

FAO provided meals for participating fisherfolk, while the Fish Right Program supported the participation of 50 commercial fishers by covering their meals and Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. insurance premiums.

Participants also visited the BFAR Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) Project information booth, which featured information materials on sustainable fisheries management, coastal resilience and livelihood development.

Roy Ortega, chief of BFAR’s Fisheries Resources Management Division, said the caravan was intended to improve fisherfolk’s access to government programs and services that support their livelihoods and resilience.

BFAR Regional Director Wilfredo Cruz said the initiative highlighted the collaboration among national government agencies, local government units and development partners in expanding access to social protection services for fishing communities.