By JONAS REYES

SUBIC, Zambales — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) awarded five 62-footer fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) handline fishing boats to fisherfolk groups to help sustain their livelihood, especially those venturing in the vicinity of the Scarborough Shoal.

BFAR turned over the vessels here on September 19 to the Subic Hook and Line Fishermen’s Association of Calapandayan, Subic; Calapandayan Fishermen’s Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Calapacuan Chicago Fishermen’s Line Organization, Subic; Samahang Pangkabuhayan ng mga Kababaihan ng Kalaklan, Olongapo; and the Samahan ng Kakayahan ng mga Kababaihan, also of Kalaklan.

Officials from BFAR, the Zambales Provincial Fisheries Office, and the Subic Municipal Agriculture Office, along with Zambales First District Representative Jay Khonghun, Subic Mayor Jon Khonghun, and Zambales Board Member Eric Matibag witnessed the turnover.

According to BFAR, the five FRP handline boats will provide fisherfolk in the two areas with safer, more efficient operations and better harvests at sea. Each FRP handline fishing vessel is equipped with six small motorized boats that will help gather fishes for storage in the bigger “mother boat.”

Deputy Speaker Khonghun, who was the proponent for the distribution of the FRP handline fishing boats, urged the beneficiaries to take care of the vessels.

He said another batch of five FRP handline boats might be secured soon for local fishermen. 