As far as the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is concerned, not as many fisherfolk have ceased fishing activities as has been claimed, as the government has been providing them with financial assistance, BFAR Spokesperson Director Nazario Briguera told DZRH.

On the program Balansyado, Briguera said that while it is not a far-fetched notion to believe that many fisherfolks’ livelihoods have been ground to a halt due to the oil crisis, reports on specific numbers are as yet anecdotal.

“Wala po tayong pormal na datos na nagsasabi na ganito po sa ngayon ang sitwasyon. Wala po kaming kinonduct na formal survey regarding this present situation (na) ‘di umano’y tumigil na sa pangingisda ang halos kalahati ng bilang ng ating mga mangingisda. Maaaring anecdotal report po ito ng isang grupo,” he said.

A financial aid program has already been in place even prior to the oil crisis, Briguera said, and the agency continues to support affected fisherfolk through its initiatives.

The BFAR has been offering a one-time ₱3,000 cash aid to eligible fisherfolk, specifically those operating on a small scale and with registered fishing boats.

An additional ₱60 million has been added to funds, the Fisheries director added, to be disbursed among target beneficiaries: fisherfolk residing in fifth class municipalities. The agency aims to provide assistance to 15,000 more fishermen, on top of the 10,000 past recipients.

Moreover, Briguera revealed that the use of a “special Presidential assistance” of ₱10 billion for both farmers and fisherfolk, which the Department of Agriculture (DA) had pressed for, has been approved. This will enable BFAR to expand the number of beneficiaries to 399,000 fisherfolk.

The Philippines has around 2.5 billion fishermen, Briguera said.