𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝟐𝟐𝐌 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐂𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒, 𝐈𝐍𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐅𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐊 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐃
OSLOB, Cebu — The Cebu Provincial Government on Friday, July 3, 2026, distributed 30 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) fish cages worth P22 million to fisherfolk associations from 10 towns in southern Cebu as part of its efforts to strengthen food security and support sustainable livelihoods.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro led the turnover ceremony with the Provincial Agriculture Office at the Daanlungsod Gym.
The modern HDPE fish cages are designed to last up to 50 years with proper maintenance, significantly longer than traditional fish cages.
Provincial Fishery Officer Joel Clapano of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Central Visayas (BFAR-7) said the cages are built to withstand stronger waves and currents, helping ensure more stable harvests while protecting the investments of coastal communities.
Gov. Baricuatro said the project is part of the provincial government’s priority programs to improve local food production while providing fisherfolk with more sustainable sources of income.
She said that Cebu remains heavily dependent on food supplies from other provinces, making it vulnerable to inflation and external factors such as rising fuel costs.
“We need to generate more of our own food here in Cebu so we will not have to depend heavily on other provinces,” the governor said.
Aside from the fish cages, the provincial government also distributed payao (fish aggregating devices), fish feeds and fertilizers to beneficiaries. The fisherfolk likewise received 10-kilogram sacks of rice provided through the Office of the President.
Gov. Baricuatro pointed out the importance of cooperation between the provincial and national governments in delivering programs and services to local communities, regardless of political affiliation.
“I am just a public servant, ug di pa tungod ninyo wala sab ko dinhi sa akong posisyon karon. Serbisyohan gyud ta mo sa akong makaya. Kay ang among pagka-government official, para nako is about service gyud. Serbisyo gyud na ug di paghatag sa importansya sa kaugalingon,” Gov. Baricuatro said as she thanked the Oslobanon for supporting her administration.
Following the turnover ceremony, the governor joined provincial and local officials in releasing bangus fingerlings into a nearby fish cage in Barangay Daanlungsod. Among those who joined the activity were Provincial Board Members Dr. Stanley Caminero and Raymond Calderon, Oslob Mayor Ronald Guaren and other local officials.
First-time beneficiaries
Many beneficiaries said it was the first-time their associations had received fish cages from the provincial government.
Rolando Castillo, 70, of Oslob, thanked the Cebu Provincial Government for the assistance and expressed hope that similar livelihood programs would continue.
“Hinaot unta nga matuman ug mapun-an pa iyang mga plano nga buligan sa kahitas-an. Kami mga fisherfolk diri sa Oslob ug sa ubang kalungsoran, duyogan namo ang mga kalamboan nga iyang gihatag kanamo,” Castillo said, in an interview.
Aida Zapanta and Tomas Serenillo, members of a fisherfolk association from Badian, also welcomed the project, saying the fish cages would provide an alternative source of income, particularly during periods of rough weather when fishing boats cannot go out to sea.
“Makapamasol ug makapondo ra gyud mi ana didto kay naa man gyuy mohabig ana nga isda tungod sa pagkaon unya di nami kinahanglan mopalayo kaayo,” Zapanta said.
“Maayo kaayo ug nagpasalamat ko ni Gobernador Pam Baricuatro nga ang iyang gihatag alang gyud sa panginabuhi-an namon mga kabos. Karon pa gyud mi nakadawat og ingon ani sukad sa pagpanagat namo,” Serenillo added.
Fisherfolk associations from Oslob, Badian, Ronda, Argao, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Alcantara, Alcoy and Alegria received fish cages, fishing inputs and other assistance under the program. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝑳𝑷, 𝑹𝑲
Check this also: Dalaguete Eyes PRDP Projects to Boost Food Security and Water Supply Support
