Sagay City Small Fishers Alliance officers inducted & livelihood project turned over

Sagay City Mayor Narwin Javelosa Jr. urged small fisher leaders to help the city in its campaign against illegal fishing during the induction of the newly-elected officers of the Sagay Small Fishers Alliance (SASFA) held this Thursday noon (May 11) at the City’s CFARMC office.

Mayor Javelosa expressed the LGU’s support to the alliance in terms of socio-economic projects and in protecting its coastal and marine environment.

The event also witnessed the turn-over of PRRM-NEGROS and People to People Aid (P2) Sustainable Livelihood Project to SASFA, which is composed of eight small fishers organisations from 5 coastal barangays of the city.

Councilor Perfecto Marañon, head of the SP Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries and PRRM-NEGROS Area Manager Edwin Balajadia gave their solidarity messages. Councilor Marañon enjoined the alliance to brace for new challenges and new technologies in view of the intensifying climate changes which are adversely affecting small fishers and coastal communities.

Balajadia, meanwhile, urged the small fishers’ leaders to build their capacities and foster their organizations so as to meet such challenges.

Nelpa Lobaton, chair of SASFA, said they will do their best in defending and promoting the rights to and interests of the small fishers and in accessing programs of the LGU for the small fishers’ benefits.

More than 35 PO leaders, PRRM staff and LGU officials and personnel attended the affair.* (ZZ)