DAVAO CITY – Thousands of fisherfolk from five barangays were happy and grateful to receive rice and cash assistance from Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte of the First District here.

Rolet Gallego, 33, a fisher dealer and president of a fisherfolk association at Sitio Malambuon in Barangay 76-A and resident of the same area, said things have become even more difficult as they struggle with what to sell since the fish have been scarce lately. 

“Di kanunay makapanagat ang among bana mahitungod sa kusog na balod ug usahay ulan. Grasya na kining gihatag ni Congressman Pulong sa amoa nga personal namong na dawat (Our husbands cannot fish as frequently as they used to due to big waves and sudden heavy downpour. The help we received from the congressman is a blessing to us, which we are truly grateful),” Gallego said.

Ronald Paring, 51, a fisherman from Barangay 76-A, narrated that in regular times, fishermen can go fishing three times a week, but when the wind is strong, and the waves are big, and sometimes it suddenly rains, they really cannot go fishing because it is too dangerous.

“Kung makapangisda sab mi, pili pa gihapon na kay usahay menos ang dakop, usahay sab daghan. Depende lang gyod sa panahon. Salamat kaayo, congressman, sa rasyon (If we get to fish, we still have to choose; sometimes, we catch less, and other times we catch more fish. It depends on the weather. Thank you very much, congressman, for the assistance),” Paring said.

Grateful 64-year-old Nestor Villa, a fisherman from Barangay 22-C, said that fishermen solely rely on fishing for their livelihood. He added that if the weather is terrible, they can only wait for it to improve and return to fishing.

“I want to grab this opportunity to thank our Rep. Duterte and his son Rigo, who led the assistance distribution. Malipayon gyod ang tanan sa dagan sa distribution, hapsay ug personal sab namo na dawat ang tabang (Everyone is really happy with the smooth assistance distribution process, and that we personally received the assistance),” Avelina Subingsubing, 65, from Barangay 21-C, said. 

A total of 4,451 recipients from barangays 21-C, 22-C, 23-C, 31-D, and 76-A Bucana received the assistance distributed by Rep. Duterte’s son Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II at the Davao Coastal Road from September 18 to 22 (Monday to Friday).

Johnny Toleran, president of the Davao Federation of Fisherfolks Association, said they requested support for the 46 fisherfolk associations in Cluster 4 following the beneficiaries’ call for help. He added that the strong winds, big waves, and sudden heavy rainfalls affected all the beneficiaries’ livelihoods.

Rep. Duterte has been giving importance to the fisherfolks significantly because they contributed to food security besides employment and trade. He said that the activity aims to enhance access to food for families affected by the rainy season.