DAVAO CITY – More than 2,000 fisherfolks received rice and cash support from Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Monday and Tuesday.

Rep. Duterte’s son Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II led the distribution of rice and cash support to 2,028 fisherfolks from barangays 21-C, 22-C, and 23-C at the Davao Coastal Road.

“Naa mi diri karon kay nag request ang fisherfolks association ug tabang sa bugas. Naa pod mi gamay giapil nga panud-an (We are here following the request of the fisherfolks associations for rice assistance. We also have a small amount for additional help),” Rep. Duterte said in a message read by Rigo.

Rep. Duterte’s office said that 2,423 fisherfolks from five areas have yet to receive the same aid. The distribution of the rice and cash support will last until Friday, September 22.

Johnny Toleran, president of the Davao Federation of Fisherfolks Association, said in an interview that the association requested support for fisherfolks affected by the cloudburst. 

“Kami naga pasalamat sa opisina ni Congressman Pulong sa pag apruba sa among request. Sukad mi lingkod siya isip congressman sa Distrito Uno, wa gyod mi niya kalimti hilabi na sa panahon nga nagkinahanglan mi ug tabang (We are thankful to Congressman Pulong’s office for approving the request. Since he took office, he has never forgotten us every time we needed help),” Toleran said.

He also thanked Rigo for leading the assistance distribution to the members of the 46 fisherfolks associations in Cluster 4 in this city. He said everyone is indeed happy and grateful.

Toleran said fisherfolks had difficulty in fishing during the rainy and closed seasons. He added that though small fishermen can still fish in closed season, the changing climate makes it very slow.

The government implemented the closed season to protect the spawning period of small pelagic fishes in Davao Gulf, as outlined in the government’s Administrative Order (JAO) No. 02.

“Kung nihit ang pangisda, wala sab koy mabaligya sa palengke (I have difficulty selling fish to the market because of the minimal source),” Melissa Tagalog, 82, a fish dealer from Barangay 21-C, said as she thanked the lawmaker for the aid.

64-year-old Nestor Villa, a fisherman from Barangay 22-C, said the rainstorms and big waves made it difficult for them to fish customarily. He added that they can only wait until the seas are calm.

“Salamat, Congressman Pulong, ni ining tabang. Among panginabuhian nakasalalay ra sa pangisda gyod. Kung nagmaot ang panahon, wala gyod mi mabuhat kundi magpaabot mamaayo usab ang panahon para makapangisda mi (Thank you, Congressman Pulong, for your help. We solely rely on fishing for our livelihood. If the weather is bad, we can only wait for it to improve and return to fishing),” Villa said.

Rep. Duterte has been giving importance to the fisherfolks significantly because they contributed to food security besides employment and trade.

“Naiintindihan ko sila kasi ako mismo hobby ko fishing pag nasa Davao ako. Pag masama ang panahon wala talaga (I understand them because I enjoy fishing when I'm in Davao. There is no fishing during bad weather)," Rep. Duterte said.

He said that the office sees to it that all fisherfolks will be given service in times of difficulty. He added that the activity aims to enhance access to food for families affected by the rainy season.

Rigo, meanwhile, expressed his profound gratitude to everyone for their endless support of Rep. Duterte and the First Congressional District Office.